Credit where credit is due, Becky Hammon’s protests about the new venue format started way before her Game 2 loss to Seattle. The Aces head coach wasn’t happy about Cathy Engelbert’s bold 1:1:1 format in the first round because “it puts the higher seed at actually a huge disadvantage.” And honestly? That’s true! We saw it with Indiana, and we’re seeing it with Seattle–it’s easier for the lower seeds to gain momentum when they’re at home. But is that really such a bad thing?

According to Nneka Ogwumike’s sister, Chiney Ogwumike, it definitely isn’t! Chiney, a former WNBA player herself, is an analyst for ESPN and is covering the WNBA playoffs in studio. She was asked about Cathy Engelbert’s newest venue format, and her answer was pretty simple. “I’m not mad at it, because if you make the playoffs? You deserve an opportunity to play at home.” She said. Obviously, it has worked out well for her sister and Seattle as a whole, but Ogwumike’s view is a lot more nuanced than people would expect.

She pointed out how it’s advantageous to the higher seeds as well, while catering to a larger fanbase in the WNBA. “The ones, twos, and threes starting off at home is great. Playing game two on the road is more fair. Because otherwise, depriving a team from being able to even play at home after they’ve worked hard to earn a playoff spot is even crazier.” And it’s true! The higher seeds get a massive advantage in the new format–they get to play Game 1 and Game 3 at home, while the lower seeds get to stage a comeback in favorable conditions.

While a large part of it is business, the series is a lot more exciting because of this format. Suddenly, teams can’t sit on their laurels after having a good regular season. They have to bring their A-Game every single day and deal with the consequences if they don’t. Do you think New York and Atlanta are anywhere close to being complacent or satisfied right now? No. They’re desperate, they’re hungry, and they want to win. That is playoff basketball.

According to Hammon, all of this came up because of Indiana’s playoff run last year. The Caitlin Clark-led team couldn’t play a single game at home because of the 2:1 format, and it was bad for business. But there’s only one fix, according to the Las Vegas Aces HC: Switch to a 5-game series, or keep it as it was. However, has Becky Hammon changed her tune after the loss to Seattle? Or has Game 2 only consolidated what she was feeling before? Let’s find out!

Becky Hammon reiterates her playoff stance after Game 2 loss to Seattle

1100 miles was all it took for Seattle to steal a game from Las Vegas. Even though the new playoff format is quite interesting and makes for closely fought contests, the fact still remains–it’s difficult to travel for every game. Fatigue, fans, and the environment play a huge role in how teams perform. For example, the Storm won Game 2 even after a horrid showing in the first game. Why? Because they were at home, in a familiar setting.

This is exactly what Becky Hammon has been warning against, and it has come back to bite her own team. After the loss, the Las Vegas Aces head coach doubled down on her opinion about the new format. “I mean, I think the lower seed should have to win a game to get one at home. But, it is what it is.” She said as per a video from The Baller’s Magazine’s YouTube channel.

But there’s one huge advantage that the Aces command–Game 3. Hammon’s team has flown back to Las Vegas for the last game in the series, and we all know how this story unfolds. When the Aces head coach was asked about it, she had a candid opinion on it. “It’s a tough travel, really, for both teams. To come into one, and go back to one. It’s a tough situation, but it is what it is.” She said, before adding, “If we have to have a Game 3, we like it at home.” 

It will be interesting to see how Hammon’s team responds to Seattle’s Game 2 challenge. By all means, the Aces should win this contest by a landslide, but you never know in basketball. If you ask me? It will go down to the wire. Both teams are hungry for a win, and even a single shot can change the entire contest. Stay tuned for the exciting matchup!