**Aces Extend Series with Liberty; Collier Leads Lynx to Series Lead Over Sun**

The WNBA semifinals took a dramatic turn as the Las Vegas Aces, facing the threat of elimination, secured a crucial 95-81 victory over the New York Liberty in Game 3 of their best-of-five series. Meanwhile, Napheesa Collier made history for the Minnesota Lynx, propelling them to a 2-1 series lead against the Connecticut Sun.

Determined to keep their championship hopes alive, the Aces overcame a 0-2 deficit, a challenge no team in WNBA history has ever surmounted in a best-of-five playoff series. The defending champions showcased a formidable performance on Friday, with Aces coach Becky Hammon describing it as their “most complete game of the season.” At halftime, the score was tightly contested, with Las Vegas holding a slim 52-49 lead. However, a 16-point run in the third quarter shifted momentum entirely in their favor, allowing them to amass a 24-point advantage in the fourth quarter.

Key players for the Aces included Jackie Young, who scored 24 points, and Kelsey Plum with 20 points. Additionally, league MVP A'ja Wilson demonstrated her prowess, contributing 19 points and a remarkable 14 rebounds. The team’s defensive strategy effectively stifled Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu, who only managed to score during the fourth quarter after being tightly marked throughout the game. Ionescu acknowledged the Aces’ strategic adjustments, noting the difficulty in breaking through their defense.

The victory not only kept Las Vegas in the running, but also marked their first win against New York this season, having previously lost three regular-season games and the first two games of the playoffs to them. Moreover, it signified a milestone for the franchise, as they achieved their 12th consecutive home playoff win, breaking the WNBA record previously held by the Los Angeles Sparks and the Sacramento Monarchs.

The Aces will have home court advantage once more when they host Game 4 at the Michelob Ultra Arena on Sunday at 3pm ET.

In another gripping semifinal clash, the Minnesota Lynx triumphed over the Connecticut Sun with a 90-81 win. Napheesa Collier was instrumental, bouncing back robustly from a subdued Game 2 to score 26 points and secure 11 rebounds. This performance made her the first player in Lynx history to record multiple 25-point, 10-rebound games in the playoffs.

Collier’s commanding presence on the court helped the Lynx take the series lead, moving them one victory away from reaching the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2017. Reflecting on her Game 2 performance, where she scored only nine points, Collier emphasized the importance of maintaining an aggressive mindset and focusing on the present.

Game 4 between the Lynx and Sun is set for Sunday at 5pm ET in Connecticut.