The Aces were delivered a double blow when Chelsea Gray and Kiah Stokes were ruled out for Game 4 of the WNBA Finals. How do the Aces adjust?
The Aces and their three-player threat -- Jackie Young, Kelsey Plum and A'ja Wilson -- are one win away from back-to-back WNBA titles. But can they overcome the losses of Chelsea Gray and Kiah Stokes? Michael Voepel covers the WNBA, women's college basketball, and other college sports for espnW. Voepel began covering women's basketball in 1984, and has been with ESPN since 1996.
We examine what Gray's and Stokes' absences mean for Las Vegas in games on Wednesday and potentially Friday, and for the series as a whole. Las Vegas is 0-3 in New York this season. The positive of having a three-guard starting lineup is that both Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young are able to play point guard. Handling the ball and initiating the offense are things both are used to doing, and have confidence in.
"I love the challenge," George said."I think as athletes if you don't feel that pressure, you want the challenge, you're chasing that challenge, you want to be able to overcome and succeed in those challenges, and I'm really looking forward to doing what I can when my number's called to help this team get the win."
As much as the Aces will miss not having Gray, Stokes' absence is also a major concern. Even though Clark is undersized at 5-foot-11, she can guard anyone and has a ton of experience. Clark's reputation as an elite defender at least gives the Aces some cushion with Stokes out. But this is still such a big worry for Las Vegas.The Aces haven't had much depth this season, but Alysha Clark was the WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year. She's averaging 22.5 minutes, 8.0 points, 4.
All that said, there is a lot of emotion under the surface for a team that a few days ago seemed on the brink of a championship and now must overcome the huge obstacle of injuries. Gray said she thought the Aces would have a"pissed off locker room" -- as in angry at the bad luck, but motivated by it.We're constantly reminded that sports doesn't follow a script, and this series is a great example.
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