Game 1 of the WNBA Finals is set to tip off between the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty. The Aces have homecourt advantage in this series, which could play a huge role.
Las Vegas will have the opportunity to become the first team to repeat since the 2001 and 2002 Los Angeles Sparks. New York, on the other hand, is back in the Finals for the first time since 2002.
Both teams were projected to reach the Finals as they finished neck and neck in almost every statistical category. The Liberty won the season series 3-2 and hope to experience that same outcome in the finals.
New York faced some challenging matchups despite defeating the Washington Mystics (2-0) in the opening round and the Connecticut Sun in the semifinals (3-1).
On the other hand, Las Vegas defeated some scrappy teams in the Chicago Sky (2-0) and the Dallas Wings (3-0). This series can go either way, and experts have leaned more toward the Liberty.
Regardless of what happened prior to the finals, here are three key reasons to consider that could decide the 2023 WNBA Finals.
3. Battle of the frontcourts
The first major key to this series is going to be the battle of the frontcourts. Both teams can score in bunches in the post but this series may be a little different. Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones will have their hands full as they try to stop A'ja Wilson while scoring at a high rate.
Wilson is currently averaging 25.8 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 1 assist and she has been finding the slightest things to motivate her. Jones and Stewart are playing well and have had their flashes of greatness but have not been consistent.
Right now, Jones is averaging 16.5 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. Coupled with Jones, Stewart is putting up 19.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks. The two will have their hands full with Wilson and Kiah Stokes on the glass.
Both frontcourts must establish their dominance quickly to grab hold of this series (no pun). Las Vegas will be able to generate second-chance points if they crash the glass like they have all season which will take away second-chance attempts from New York.
New York will need to get physical and box out, otherwise, Las Vegas will get out and transition.
2. Bench production
Bench production is the second key to this series and will be crucial to this series. Both teams don't dive too far into their bench which could change if foul trouble or slow starts arise.
The Aces will need more out of Alysha Clark and Kierstan Bell who have been seeing the floor as of late. Las Vegas will feel the impact of Candace Parker being out of the lineup which has trickled down to the bench depth and play all season.
Clark and Bell will need to look to be aggressive on the offense end of the floor. New York's bench is limited due to the multiple lineups that feature their big three.
Kayla Thornton has been an anchor on the defensive end but her slashing abilities will be needed. Las Vegas does a great job of running shooters off the 3-point line.
Thornton will need to put pressure on the defense by attacking the lane or focusing on the mid-range game. Stefanie Dolson is also in the lineup but doesn't really get offensive opportunities.
Although both teams are almost identical in bench production they will need something extra from their second units.
1. Stewie's Consistency
The last key value that will play a significant role in the outcome of this series is consistency. Despite both teams making it to the Finals, neither has played their best basketball.
Although New York made it to the Finals, one player who has not been consistent is Breanna Stewart. At this moment, she is leading the team in scoring at 19 points per game in the postseason. However, she has not been herself and has been struggling to score consistently.
Stewart is currently shooting 20 percent from 3-point land in the postseason and has only had one game where she shot above 35 percent.
Even though Stewie is putting up solid numbers, it's clear that she has not been herself and will need to make some adjustments in order to help the Liberty capture their first title.
