Jackie Powell is checking in once again from Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas after Game 2 of the WNBA Finals. Sunday, the No. 2-seeded Aces handily defeated the No. 4-seeded Phoenix Mercury 91-78. Powell welcomed guest Alissa Hirsh to discuss what they saw from both sides during the matchup and what needs to change for Phoenix to avoid going down 3-0.
Powell and Hirsh started by highlighting Jackie Young as the catalyst behind the Aces’ dominance, especially in the third quarter. Young scored 21 points in the third quarter alone and finished with a game-high 32 points, a noticeable improvement from her Game 1 performance.
“Jackie Young told us that her game one performance was not her best,” Powell said. “She did not have her legs. And so when the Mercury see that, and they guard her well, and they come out, and they think, ‘Okay, we were able to hold Jackie and A’ja [Wilson] pretty all right.’ And then it’s like, Jackie Young turns it up to 11, and maybe what worked for them in game one clearly did not work in game two.”
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On the Phoenix’s side, Powell and Hirsh noted that the Mercury were lacking energy, something that was reflected on offense and defense. They also insinuated that Alyssa Thomas, the Mercury’s star forward, didn’t perform up to her usual standard, potentially contributing heavily to the Mercury’s sluggish nature and lackluster play. Thomas shot 5-for-9 from the field for 10 points and had five assists and six rebounds.
“I think it’s worth discussing Alyssa Thomas and her stat line and how it looked a little bit quiet today,” Powell said. “… Some would say that’s triple-double watch, right? That’s contributing in many different areas, but that’s not the Alyssa Thomas standard, right? Usually, you see her with over 10 assists. That’s usually a given. And today, no, not really near there.”
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