Sabrina Ionescu Couldn’t Handle Aces’ Feverish Defensive Pressure In Liberty Loss
The Las Vegas Aces paid New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu ultimate respect in Game 3 of the playoff series between the two WNBA powerhouses. A 95-81 Aces win.
Ionescu had been outstanding in the first two games of the semifinals series, both Liberty victories.
Sabrina averaged 22.5 points across those two contests. She came into the game averaging 24.5 points for the playoffs.
The defending champions responded by bringing extra defensive attention her way.
Las Vegas often picked the Liberty guard up full court and utilized many traps and blitzes to get the ball out of her hands.
The Aces have been more willing to sprinkle in traps against Sabrina when she's near the sideline.
— Nekias (Nuh-KY-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) October 5, 2024
Good rep here to get the ball out of her hands; timely rotation & contest from A'ja Wilson against Breanna Stewart. pic.twitter.com/mW92t1EQfY
Defensive tactics that had many fans comparing what the Aces did to strategies often seen deployed against Indiana Fever sensation Caitlin Clark in her rookie season.
this is the first time I've seen Sabrina defended like this in her career.
— Mily (@DayDreamThis) October 5, 2024
It's Caitlin defense. 94 feet, blitz, trap, blitz face guard.
Sabrina did not handle the intense pressure well, going scoreless for the first half and finishing the contest with just four points on 1-7 shooting.
Which predictably resulted in a Liberty loss, one that was not close.
Aces coach Becky Hammon had chastised her team for poor defense earlier in the series but Jackie Young and company answered the call in Game 3 to keep a three-peat on the table for Vegas in locking down Ionescu.
It's a good bet Sabrina will have a strong response come Game 4. However, in the meantime, she will surely be on the receiving end of a roasting by fans.
Sabrina was blitzed like crazyy tonight and she couldnt do absolutely anything.
— AK (@Sudharsan_AK10) October 5, 2024
Btw, Caitlin Clark got blitzed like this, all season long, yet still managed to put up crazy numbers as a rookie.#WNBA pic.twitter.com/5hhjHTE5v2
Particularly those who couldn't help but notice her struggles relative to the success Clark eventually had when handling said pressure.
With a sweep off the table, Sabrina will need to sweep this one under the rug and be prepared for more swarming defense from the Aces, as the Liberty have another chance to close the series out on Sunday.
Sabrina should have to clean the arena after the game
— 🗽🏀 (@AintPayingThe5) October 5, 2024
Robin Lundberg is a media veteran and hoops head who has spent the bulk of his career with iconic brands like Sports Illustrated and ESPN. His insights have also been featured on platforms such as Fox and CNN and he can currently be heard hosting shows for Sirius XM and on his burgeoning YouTube show. And now he brings his basketball expertise to Women's Fastbreak on SI!