The GIST: Two perennial powerhouses are on the brink of elimination as the best-of-five WNBA semifinals continue tonight. Before we discuss how the NY Liberty and Las Vegas Aces can salvage their seasons, a moment for the unprecedented five-time MVP.
🐐 A’ja Wilson wins third straight MVP: No one has dominated women’s hoops like Wilson. Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes, and Lauren Jackson all won three MVPs: Wilson now has five, and that fifth was a foregone conclusion by the All-Star break. Not only did she lead the league in points (26.2) and blocks (1.9), Wilson was the W’s best statistical player overall — and it wasn’t that close.
💭🗽 Atlanta Dream (up 2-0) vs. Liberty — Tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET: NY’s bungled timeout in Game 2 dominated headlines, but that shouldn’t overshadow the real issue: The Liberty turned the ball over 16 times (for 28 points), including a misfired pass with six seconds left in overtime. Withstanding Atlanta’s pressure is a must if NY wants to extend the series at home.
💜🃏 Golden State Valkyries (up 2-0) vs. Aces — Tonight at 9:30 p.m. ET: A battle of two brilliant coaching minds, the Becky Hammon–led Aces believe they can author a historic comeback. The player to watch with elimination on the line? Wilson, of course. Just like her trophy case, expect the GOAT to be a handful.