Yahoo Sports Liberty at Aces live updates: How to watch crucial Game 3 of WNBA semifinals
It’s do-or-die time for the Las Vegas Aces.
Or was that the other night during Game 2?
After dropping Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals to the top-seeded New York Liberty, Vegas coach Becky Hammon told reporters Game 2 was a “must win.”
But that didn’t happen, as the Liberty again defended their home court.
Now it’s Game 3 in Vegas and the Aces have a very tall task in front of them: No team in the history of the WNBA playoffs has come back from an 0-2 deficit in a five-game series. And if the two-time defending league champions continue to give up wide-open layups, the chances of rewriting the record books do not look good.
A’ja Wilson has been her usual spectacular self, but needs her guards to step up. Meanwhile, can anyone slow down New York guard Sabrina Ionescu?
If the Aces win tonight, Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday.
Follow along for news and highlights from Game 3:
ANALYSIS: Caitlin Clark's record-setting rookie year is over. How much better can she get?
MORE: How many points did Caitlin Clark score in her rookie season? See all her stats
When is Liberty at Aces Game 3?
The WNBA semifinal is scheduled for Friday in Paradise, Nevada.
What time is Liberty at Aces Game 3?
Opening tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET.
Where is Liberty at Aces Game 3?
The game will be played at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
How to watch Liberty at Aces Game 3
Game 3 of the best-of-five series will be on ESPN2. It can also be streamed on Fubo.
How to stream Liberty at Aces Game 3
Game 3 can be streamed on Fubo. In addition to local TV markets, the Liberty-Aces game also will be available on demand upon its conclusion on WNBA League Pass. Fans can get the WNBA League Pass by downloading the WNBA app.
WNBA playoff format
The first round of the WNBA playoffs is a best-of-three series.
The semifinals of the WNBA playoffs is a best-of-five series.
The WNBA Finals are a best-of-five series.
Aces' Tiffany Hayes named WNBA sixth player of the year
The Las Vegas Aces are on the brink of elimination. Not only do they have the 2024 WNBA MVP – A’ja Wilson – on their side, the Aces also have the sixth player of the year. Tiffany Hayes earned the honor Friday ahead of Game 3 between the Aces and Liberty. The feat is extra special for Hayes, considering she was retired at the beginning of the 2024 WNBA season. The Aces signed Hayes out of retirement in late May and she went on to average 9.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists this season.
"I love y’all. I’m really glad that I came here. I’ve been having the best time of my life," Hayes said after Aces head coach Becky Hammon announced her award. "It’s our award."
Kiah Stokes out for Aces
The already struggling Aces were dealt a tough hand earlier this week when they learned that 6-foot-3 center Kiah Stokes would be unavailable for Game 3.
Stokes collided with Liberty forward Jonquel Jones late in the third quarter of Game 2 as both went after a rebound. They knocked heads, and Stokes fell hard to the ground. She was down for a few minutes, and had to be helped to the locker room. She did not return to action in Game 2, and is officially in concussion protocol for the time being.
Stokes, who started 29 regular-season games this year, averages only 1.4 points, but she’s an important piece defensively for the Aces, particularly against a Liberty team that has considerable size inside with 6-foot-6 Jones and 6-foot-4 Breanna Stewart.
Aces vs. Liberty is matchup of sixth woman of the year
Game 3 between the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces will feature a matchup of some of the biggest superstars in the WNBA – and some of the league’s best subs.
While Aces guard Tiffany Hayes was named Sixth Woman of the Year, earning 38 of 67 first-place votes, the runner-up was Liberty rookie Leonie Fiebich, who finished with 21 votes.
Fiebich, a 24-year-old rookie from Germany, has been stellar for the Liberty this year and become a regular closer for New York. She averaged 6.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals in the regular season, and played with the German national team in the Paris Olympics. She was named to the WNBA All-Rookie team earlier this week.
WNBA playoff bracket
First round
Sunday, Sept. 22:
Game 1: New York 83, Atlanta 69
Game 1: Connecticut 93, Indiana 69
Game 1: Minnesota 102, Phoenix 95
Game 1: Las Vegas 78, Seattle 67
Tuesday, Sept. 24:
Game 2: New York 91, Atlanta 82, Liberty win series 2-0
Game 2: Las Vegas 83, Seattle 76, Aces win series 2-0
Wednesday, Sept. 25
Game 2: Connecticut 87, Indiana 81, Sun win series 2-0
Game 2: Minnesota 101, Phoenix 88, Lynx win series 2-0
Semifinals
Las Vegas Aces vs. New York Liberty
Game 1, Sept. 29: New York 87, Las Vegas 77
Game 2, Oct. 1: New York 88, Las Vegas 84, Liberty lead series 2-0
Game 3, Oct. 4: New York at Las Vegas, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Game 4*, Oct. 6: New York at Las Vegas, 3 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 5*, Oct. 8: Las Vegas at New York, TBD, ESPN2
Connecticut Sun vs. Minnesota Lynx
Game 1, Sept. 29: Connecticut 73, Minnesota 70
Game 2, Oct. 1: Minnesota 77, Connecticut 70, Series tied 1-1
Game 3, Oct. 4: Minnesota at Connecticut, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Game 4, Oct. 6: Minnesota at Connecticut, TBD
Game 5*, Oct. 8: Connecticut at Minnesota, TBD, ESPN2
(* - If necessary; all times Eastern)
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY operates independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Liberty at Aces live updates: How to watch WNBA playoff semifinal
