WNBA playoff comeback history is now the only thing standing between the Las Vegas Aces, New York Liberty and an early exit for these teams. Both teams are down 2-0 after Wednesday’s semifinal losses, and Friday’s Game 3s are not just important. They are must-win games.
The Dream beat New York 101-98 in overtime, while Golden State held off Las Vegas 83-81. Both series have now shifted to the teams facing elimination, but no WNBA team has ever won a best-of-five series after losing the first two games. I truly believe we could witness WNBA history from one of these teams.
| Game 3 | Time | TV | Series Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Dream at New York Liberty | Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN2 | Atlanta leads 2-0 |
| Golden State Valkyries at Las Vegas Aces | Friday, 9:30 p.m. ET | NBCSN, Peacock | Golden State leads 2-0 |
The official WNBA playoff bracket confirms both semifinal series are 2-0. The format is 2-2-1, so the Liberty and Aces have home court for Friday and Sunday if they can stay alive.
A WNBA playoff comeback history lesson is not great news for New York or Las Vegas. No team has won a best-of-five WNBA playoff series after falling behind 2-0, which means there is no margin for another slow start or late mistake.
Winning Game 3 would only keep the door open. The team would still need to win Game 4 at home, then go back on the road and take Game 5. That is three straight wins against a team that has already proven it can beat you twice.
There is a difference between extending a series and completing a comeback. The Aces and Liberty have enough talent to win Friday, but they also have to show something neither team has shown consistently through the first two games: a way to control the final few minutes.
Breanna Stewart gave New York almost everything it could ask for in Game 2. She scored 35 points, including 25 in the first half, but Atlanta still found a way to pull out a 101-98 overtime win. Angel Reese and Jordin Canada each scored 23 points, and Naz Hillmon made the go-ahead basket with 20.8 seconds left in overtime.
New York’s biggest issue is that Stewart cannot be asked to solve every possession by herself. Sabrina Ionescu finished with 10 points, while reserve guard Marine Fauthoux gave the Liberty a huge 20 points off the bench and hit the three that forced overtime. That is encouraging, but Game 3 needs to be more organized from the opening tip.
The Liberty need Ionescu creating cleaner looks, Jonquel Jones controlling the paint, and fewer live-ball turnovers that let Atlanta get out in transition. Atlanta has been comfortable making this series physical, especially when Stewart has the ball. New York has to answer that with better spacing and faster decisions instead of waiting for one difficult shot late in the clock.
Our WNBA playoff predictions and Game 2 best bets focused on how Allisha Gray’s injury could change Atlanta’s offense. The Dream answered that question in Game 2. Canada had 23 points and eight assists, and all five Atlanta starters reached double figures.
Las Vegas nearly stole Game 2 after falling behind by 16 points late in the third quarter. A’ja Wilson finished with 24 points, and the Aces came all the way back to take a late lead. Golden State still made the plays that mattered most.
Veronica Burton hit the three-pointer that broke a 76-76 tie with 41 seconds left. Then, with the game on the line, Kiah Stokes blocked Chelsea Gray’s late attempt to seal the 83-81 Valkyries win. Golden State’s official Game 2 recap shows how close the Aces came before the final defensive stand.
That block matters because it shows exactly what the Aces are up against. Golden State is not just getting scoring from Tiffany Hayes and Gabby Williams. The Valkyries are winning rebounds, protecting the rim and getting timely defense from players who do not need to score 20 points to affect the game.
Las Vegas may need to go bigger in Game 3 to keep Stokes from owning the glass and to give Wilson more help around the basket. Wilson and Gray can still carry an offense for stretches, but the Aces need Jackie Young and their supporting group to create easier points before the game becomes another late-clock battle.
Jewell Loyd was ruled out of Game 2 with a left leg injury after getting hurt in the third quarter of Game 1. Her Game 3 status remains a major question, and Las Vegas could use another scorer if she is available. The Aces cannot assume she will return until the official injury report says so.
Gray missed Game 2 with a left hand injury, but Atlanta showed it can win without its leading scorer. That does not mean her absence is unimportant. If Gray returns Friday, the Dream get another shot creator in a game where New York will be desperate to throw everything at Reese and Canada.
Both injury situations need a final check before publication Friday. They are not side notes anymore. They could change the entire matchup.
WNBA playoff comeback history is on the line and it’s against both the Liberty and Aces, and that is what makes these Friday games so interesting. New York has the better chance to extend its series because Stewart was already dominant in Game 2 and the Liberty finally get a home game. Can they make the most of this opportunity or will they crumble?
My call is simple, New York survives and forces a Game 4. I think Golden State finishes the sweep in Las Vegas because the Valkyries have been deeper, tougher on the boards and better in the biggest late-game moments. When the lights shine the brightest and the pressure is on, i want to be on the side that can handle them moments.
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