‘No moral victories:’ Mercury rue slow start in Game 3 of WNBA Finals, vow to keep fighting despite 0-3 hole
The Phoenix Mercury are on the verge of losing the WNBA Finals after falling 90-88 to the Las Vegas Aces in Game 3 on Wednesday. They showed a lot of heart in the fourth quarter, especially after Satou Sabally was injured in the head. and nearly completed a 17-point comeback behind strong performances from Kahleah Copper and DeWanna Bonner.
But a last-second shot from A’ja Wilson led to a victory in Las Vegas, and Phoenix is now on the verge of being swept.
“We’re not looking for moral victories. This is a game that we wanted to win, that we had to win. But the fact that we competed the way we did shows, I think, the character of our team. It’s the way we’ve fought all year,” Mercury coach Nate TIbbetts said after the game.
“We kept fighting and put ourselves in a position to win against a very good team. I’m proud of our group for not giving in. That’s what we expect on Friday as well. We’re going to keep fighting. That’s what this group is all about.”
The Mercury nearly earned a road victory in the first game as make playoff history with 14 3-pointersbut Las Vegas won that one with a strong defensive performance in the fourth quarter.
Game 2 was much more one-sided, with the Aces winning 91-78 thanks to a 32-point performance from Jackie Young and 28 points and 14 rebounds from Wilson.
Tibbetts had no impression that the Aces were going to be an easy opponent. They are seeking their third title in four years and entered the playoffs with a 16-game winning streak. The Mercury have not won a title since 2014 and have been underdogs on several occasions this season. However, Tibbetts really likes what his team has shown so far.
“I think you look within yourself and continue to compete. We played them in two close games with 25 seconds, 40 seconds left, it was a one-point game in two of the games. Obviously, those are games that you’re in a position to win. Besides Game 2, I think we played them pretty solid.
“We had to come back tonight. But we’re facing a team that’s been through this together. They’re not a team that just gets it, they’re a well-oiled machine… But I was, again, very proud of the way we kept fighting.”
This is the first season the WNBA has held a best-of-seven final, so there is no precedent for this kind of situation in this league. The closest comparison is the NBA, where no team has ever won a championship after falling behind 0-3. If the Mercury want to have any chance of success, Tibbetts said they really need to focus on one game at a time.
But if they want to extend the series, they need to lock in from the tipoff and not wait until late in the game to rally.
“We’re facing elimination. We had plenty of opportunities to get the win,” Alyssa Thomas said. “At some point we have to take it upon ourselves. Our first half was unacceptable, especially with the opportunity to play on your field and go out there and get a win. It’s the same for Game 4. We have to come out from the start.”
Thomas added that making it this far in the playoffs was a “privilege” and therefore the opportunity should not be wasted. Bonner agreed with her teammate and coach.
“We have to keep fighting. We’re not going to give up,” Bonner said. “It’s tough to get here, so we’re going to keep fighting until the end. And I feel like that’s what we’ve been doing all playoffs, fighting to get back there.”
Game 4 will take place at PHX Arena on Friday at 8 p.m. ET.
