Liberty have no margin for error now

The Liberty face their lowest point yet in the WNBA Finals after a devastating loss to the Aces in Game 2. This loss marks a turning point for the superteam, as they had never faced elimination or lost two consecutive games in the season before. The Liberty had hoped to respond to the defending champions and avoid a 0-2 hole, similar to their position in the semifinals when they dropped Game 1 to the Sun. However, they now find themselves with zero margin for error heading into Game 3 at the Barclays Center on Sunday.

This rough patch comes at an unfortunate time for the Liberty. On the other hand, the Aces experienced their own troubles during the regular season, losing five games, three of which by a significant margin. Interestingly, three of those losses, including the Commissioner’s Cup, were at the hands of the Liberty.

Aces head coach Becky Hammon praised her team’s performance in Game 2, stating that their defense and offense were superb. She also acknowledged that every team goes through a rough patch, which ultimately tests their resilience and true abilities. Hammon expressed confidence in her team and their ability to overcome challenges.

The Liberty’s coach, Sandy Brondello, along with players Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones, were unable to pinpoint exactly what went wrong in Game 2. They admitted that there was a lack of urgency, aggressiveness, and resistance to the Aces’ tactics. The backcourt struggled once again, with Sabrina Ionescu and Courtney Vandersloot only contributing 19 points and shooting poorly from the field and beyond the arc.

Transition defense was also a major issue for the Liberty, as they failed to match up with the Aces’ players and allowed uncontested shots. Brondello deemed these defensive lapses as “unacceptable.”

Brondello speculated that one possible factor influencing the series could be experience. Only four Liberty players, including Stewart and Jones, have previous experience in the WNBA Finals. The Aces, as defending champions, showcased their chemistry and sharpness in Game 2, which the Liberty struggled to counter. The Aces’ physicality also posed a challenge for the Liberty.

Although time and more high-stakes games could potentially benefit the Liberty, they face an uphill battle. No team in WNBA history has managed to overcome an 0-2 deficit in the Finals. However, the Liberty can find hope in the fact that the Aces were unable to win at the Barclays Center during the regular season, suffering a significant loss in the first game and trailing by as many as 17 points in the second.

In summary, the Liberty must regroup quickly and find a way to bounce back in Game 3 to avoid further disappointment. Their championship hopes hang in the balance, and they must overcome history to come out on top in the WNBA Finals.

Source: [New York Post](https://nypost.com/2023/10/15/liberty-have-no-margin-for-error-now/?utm_source=url_sitebuttons&utm_medium=site%20buttons&utm_campaign=site%20buttons)

Reference

Rachel Adams

Rachel Adams is your WNBA insider, delivering comprehensive coverage of women’s basketball. With a commitment to highlighting the talent and achievements of WNBA players, she provides game analysis, player profiles, and inspiring stories from the league.