Becky Hammon on Aces’ WNBA Finals Blowout Win vs. Liberty: ‘They’re the Real Deal’

Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon has been incredibly impressed with her team’s dominant performance in the first two games of the WNBA Finals against the New York Liberty.

In an interview with reporters after a 104-76 victory in Game 2 on Wednesday night, Hammon declared, “They’re the real deal,” commending her team’s execution on both offense and defense.

“Rarely do they leave me at a loss for words, but their defensive and offensive execution was exceptional,” Hammon expressed. “They’ve been doing everything we’ve asked of them…they’re the real deal. Their competitiveness and support for one another make them a true team.”

The Liberty-Aces matchup was arguably the most highly anticipated finals showdown in WNBA history, with both teams being the clear top performers during the regular season, boasting a minimum of 30 wins each.

New York secured three victories in the five regular-season encounters, including an 82-63 win in the Commissioner’s Cup Final, which marked Vegas’ sole home defeat.

In the first two rounds of the playoffs, both teams dominated their opponents. The New York Liberty swept the Washington Mystics in the opening round and then won three consecutive games against the Connecticut Sun after dropping Game 1.

Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Aces cruised to victory, sweeping the Chicago Sky and Dallas Wings in the first two rounds and averaging a winning margin of 14.8 points in those five games.

Throughout the first two games of the Finals, there is no doubt that the Las Vegas Aces have proven to be the better team. They triumphed in the opener with a 99-82 scoreline on Sunday.

The Liberty’s 28-point defeat in Game 2 constituted their worst loss since the 100-62 thrashing by the Sky in last season’s playoffs.

Las Vegas has maintained an impressive shooting percentage of 53.7% from the field (72-of-134) in the first two games. A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young collectively tallied 73 points in Game 2, nearly outscoring the Liberty on their own.

In Game 3 on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, the Aces will strive to secure victory, close out the series, and clinch their second consecutive WNBA championship.