The New York Liberty will clash with the Las Vegas Aces in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals on Wednesday, October 18th, at the iconic Barclays Center in New York. The stakes are high, with the Liberty looking to mount a comeback and secure their first WNBA title. On the other hand, the Aces aimed to defend their championship and clinch back-to-back titles.

However, the tide has now shifted to the Liberty’s favour. The Aces have announced that the team will miss Chelsea Gray, Kiah Stokes in the upcoming game. With Gray and Stokes Out, which Ace will end woes for A’ja Wilson and Co.?

Las Vegas Aces to miss key players in Game 4

The Liberty managed to stay alive in the WNBA Finals series by claiming a pivotal victory in Game 3. Their performance in Las Vegas during the first two games had been challenging, but the team rallied to beat the Aces 87-73 in Game 3. However, the Aces now face a daunting challenge in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals, with two of their key players sidelined due to foot injuries. Star guard Chelsea Gray is dealing with a left foot injury that has left her unavailable for the upcoming crucial game. She was spotted strolling down the sidelines on her scooter on Tuesday as the Las Vegas Aces warmed up for practice at Barclays Center.

Gray’s injury occurred during Game 3 on Sunday, midway through the fourth quarter. Despite attempting to play through the pain, it was evident that something was seriously amiss when she struggled to move effectively on the court. Her absence is a significant blow to the Aces, who were banking on her. Further adding to the Aces’ misfortune, forward Kiah Stokes is also set to miss Game 4 due to a foot injury. The exact cause of her injury remains unclear with Stokes stating, “I don’t know exactly, I woke up and my foot was hurting and we’re trying to figure it out from there.” Stokes was seen with a boot on her right foot, making her unavailable for the upcoming matchup.

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The timing of these injuries couldn’t be worse for Las Vegas, as they currently hold a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series. Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday night in New York, and Game 5 could become a reality if the Liberty manages to level the series.

Despite the adversity, Kelsey Plum remains optimistic about her team’s chances, stating, “This team has responded all year we’ve been through a lot. I mean shoot we’ve been uh hurt, sued, arrested you name it we’ve done it. So like I said I’m confident in our group and um we’ve gone through a lot of adversity. We’ll be ready.”

Aces’ head coach, Becky Hammon, confirmed on Tuesday morning that both Chelsea Gray and Kiah Stokes had been ruled out for Game 4 due to “foot injuries.” This left the Aces without two key players and raised concerns about their ability to maintain their lead in the series. Notably, Candace Parker was also listed as out on the Aces’ injury report.

With A’ja Wilson’s Aces in a Trench of Injuries, Becky Hammon Drops Teaser for Most-Awaited Update

Stokes, on the other hand remained hopeful that she might still be able to play in Game 4 but was awaiting further information from doctors regarding the pain she experienced after the previous game. Chelsea Gray, who was seen with her left foot in a boot and a scooter, suggested that her Game 5 status would be determined upon their return to Las Vegas.

With Stokes and Gray out of the picture, who’s stepping up for the Aces?

How can the Las Vegas Aces cope?

As one of the two most indispensable players for Las Vegas, Gray’s absence leaves behind an immense void. Gray has been averaging 15 points, five rebounds, and 7.3 assists during the 2023 WNBA Final.

The Aces, however, are not without options. Their three-guard starting lineup allows Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young to take on point guard responsibilities. Both Plum and Young are skilled ball handlers and capable of initiating the offense. “Our sum has to be greater than our individual parts. Jackie, KP and Syd [Colson] are all more than capable. Syd has been in this league a long time. KP is used to when Chelsea goes out, she goes [to point guard] or Jackie swings there. They’re all very capable scorers and passers,”stated head coach Becky Hammon.

The onus now lies on players like A’ja Wilson, the team’s MVP, and Alysha Clark, the veteran, to step up as leaders and key contributors on the floor.

In addition to Gray’s absence, the Aces also face the challenge of missing Kiah Stokes. Stokes started all eight playoff games, averaging 2.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and two assists in the 2023 WNBA Finals.

To adapt to Stokes’ absence, the Aces may turn to Cayla George, who, despite her limited Finals experience, brings a wealth of international experience with the Australian Opals. Her 6-foot-4 frame could prove valuable in a starting role. Alysha Clark is another option, ready to take on a more aggressive offensive role, drawing from her college experience as a prolific scorer at Middle Tennessee. The Aces will feel the void left by Stokes. Still, Clark’s reputation as an elite defender provides some assurance. Even though undersized at 5-foot-11, Clark’s defensive prowess offers a cushion in the absence of Stokes. Then left on the roster is Riquna Williams, who averaged 6.7 points per game last season. However, with a legal battle and back issues troubling her, her presence on the roster for the WNBA Finals can be ruled out.

Next on the lineup, we have Candace Parker. While Parker has been out the whole season since her injury and consequent operation, Becky Hammon’s recent statement about potentially deploying her in the roster has piqued many’s interest.  When asked about the possibility of Candace Parker’s return to the lineup, Hammon responded with a tantalizing, “You know, I have to see if I can suit her. Maybe!”

If Parker does indeed make a comeback, the New York Liberty, the Aces’ opponents in this high-stakes showdown, will face an even greater challenge. However, the collective concern for Las Vegas is undeniable. With both Stokes and Gray sidelined, the Aces will need to rely on the depth of their roster and the leadership of key players like A’ja Wilson to step up and fill the void created by these significant absences.

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Do you think the Las Vegas Aces will emerge victorious without Kiah Stokes and Chelsea Gray on the roster? Let us know in the comments below!