The New York Liberty won against the Las Vegas Aces 79-67 during the first home game since the Olympics.
Coach Becky Hammon said during the post-game press conference that, “We had multiple people go just frickin’ rogue just rogue. And it looks incredibly selfish because it is.”
Coach Hammon further said that tonight’s game highlighted the problems on the defensive end rather than the offensive.
Las Vegas Aces Start Strong In First Quarter Before Defensive Troubles
The start of the game was electric with a couple of 3-pointers from Chelsea Gray, A’Ja Wilson, and Kelsey Plum.
During the second quarter, the New York Liberty inched closer and eventually clinched a lead after Jonquel Jones was thrown a dime, allowing her to score and getting a leg up over the Aces.
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Liberty players scored a sprinkle of three-pointers throughout the second and third quarters.
Despite players like Kiah Stokes and Chelsea Grey scoring in the last quarter, the Aces were unable to beat the Liberty.
Post-Game Conference Showed Hammon’s Frustrations
A’ja Wilson and Chelsea Grey were the two players in the post-game press conference. When asked about the Olympic break, Wilson responded and said the break wasn’t the issue, but the issue was more about the “inside.”
“At this point, we’re not going to harp on the break. It’s over, it’s done, It’s behind us, it really does not matter. We took care of that business, now we’re here,” Wilson said during the press conference. “And I think just our ‘want-to’ factor wasn’t there for 40 minutes. And that doesn’t matter if we had a break or we didn’t. I feel like we looked the same in Chicago and we can’t have that. Our team, our locker room is way too good for us to not want to be the best.”
“That’s all we need is to want,” Wilson further said. “And then the rest is easy.”
Along with this sentiment, coach Becky Hammon said that the players have to bring heart into the game.
“If I could give it to them, believe me, I would give it to them. They have to bring that aspect because that’s internal. Listen, I can sit there and try to put bandaids on these little cuts and bruises but when you’re bleeding internally, doesn’t do much.”
Hamon further said that a few players went rogue and it was a “disappointing effort.” Hammon said she saw the team’s playing shift in the second, third and fourth quarters. She emphasized the need to keep the ball moving instead of standing and dribbling in place.
“That was an ugly game, sorry for the TV audience,” Hammon said.
The Las Vegas Aces will continue this weekend of home games. The Aces will face the Los Angeles Sparks at Michelob ULTRA Arena at 3 p.m. tomorrow.
