After two back-to-back wins, the Las Vegas Aces’ have will enter as favorites in Games 3 and 4 to secure their 3rd championship title. But the Phoenix Mercury squad still holds hope. “Fortunately for us, it’s best to seven… We’re going home, we have two home-court advantage games, and we have to be better,” said Alyssa Thomas after the Mercury’s 2nd consecutive loss. After all, the Final series is heading to Phoenix, and the Mercury squad has won 7 of their last 10 home games. But coach Nate is sounding ‘not so confident’ for the upcoming fixtures.

In the aftermath of Game 3, Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts spoke to the media. During the Q&A session, he revealed that he certainly loses sleep thinking about the Las Vegas Aces. Why? His response was “Well, four Olympians help”. He later added that “Yeah, they just…. They got great players. They’ve been through it together. They’ve won championships, they’ve got a Hall of Fame coach. None of this stuff is, like, they’ve been through all of this”.

Yes, losing 2 games would have provided enough lessons to ensure Aliyah Boston and Co. are more careful, but the same was said post-Game 1, too. So it is not just Tibbetts, but another coach, too, who believes the Aces will still have an edge. Former WNBA head coach Carolyn Peck joined ESPN’s ‘The Wrap-Up’ show for a discussion on the Aces-Mercury Game 2 matchup.

During the same time, the host revealed Peck, highlighting that there is a difference between the big three for Vegas and the big three for Phoenix. According to the former coach, “I think the biggest difference is that they have finals experience. Like, they’ve been through the war. They’ve won two championships together. And I think that really showed up”.

The Las Vegas Aces not only have championship experience, but a back-to-back championship. After all, A’ja Wilson and Co. won their two championship titles back in 2022 and 2023! On top of that, the team also made it to the Finals back in 2020, but lost 3-0 to the Seattle Storm. The wins and losses experienced back then are the foundation on which the team hopes to make history once again.

The effect of the Aces’ bigger “Big 3” was quite apparent in the team’s recent win, too. After all, Jackie Young took the scoring lead with her 32 points behind a WNBA Finals record 21-point 3rd quarter. A’ja Wilson wasn’t that far behind, as she tallied a 28-point and 14-rebound double-double. Chelsea Gray filled the box score with her own 10-point and 10-assist double-double, plus eight rebounds. Together, the trio combined for 70 of Vegas’ 91 points. Seems that Olympic experience has only made the players tougher.

Through these first 2 games, the Las Vegas Aces have scared the Mercury that even the Mercury HC is unable to downplay it as just another game. Then again, one can’t take risks during the Finals. In light of this, some people would tell the players to change their strategy for Game 3. However, that is not what one WNBA reporter wants.

‘We Need To Talk’ host tells Aces to stay consistent against Phoenix Mercury

A few hours ago, ‘We Need To Talk’ hosts Alicia Jay and Erica L. Ayala talked about the WNBA Finals. During the discussion, Ayala highlighted that Mercury aims to make full use of their home court advantage. After all, the Aces got the most out of it during Games 1 and 2. It is moving to a different turf, with a different crowd now. Seems the perfect time to try something new and surprise the rivals. However, Jay believes that the Aces have to continue to do what they have done against the Indiana Fever in their backyard.

“I don’t really have anything to say of like things that they should change because they played these…. these last 2 games in an amazing way. They’re playing Aces basketball, the basketball that we know them to be able to play, and they’re just in rare form right now,” said Jay. “And so, I wouldn’t even say that anything needs to happen on the Aces’ side, except for being who they have been in these last two games.”

The Aces held consistency on both ends of the court. For Game 1, the squad used a zone defense that helped optimize the pace and skill. For Game 2, A’ja Wilson, Young, and Gray combined were able to outscore Phoenix by the 2nd quarter by themselves. Also, Chelsea Gray kept players like Satou Sabally at bay. On the offense, A’ja Wilson had a helping partner in both games. In Game 1, she and Dana Evans each scored 21 points, while in Game 2, she and Jackie Young dropped a combined 60 points.

Las Vegas Aces’ experience or the Phoenix Mercury’s home-court advantage? Which do you think will stand out? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.