In a shocking turn of events, the Las Vegas Aces’ quest for a historic three-peat came to a crushing end as they were eliminated by the New York Liberty. Fans were left stunned, and the Aces players and coaching staff struggled to contain their emotions after the unexpected defeat. Asia Wilson, Chelsea Gray, and head coach Becky Hammon faced the media, offering raw and revealing insights into what went wrong.

Becky Hammon, known for her fiery leadership, was visibly shaken as she dissected the game. “We just didn’t have it,” she admitted, referring to the team’s inability to score effectively and their struggles to dominate the boards. “We got our asses handed to us,” she added bluntly, highlighting how the Liberty exposed the Aces’ weaknesses throughout the series. “You can’t win against a team like that shooting 32% and getting absolutely dominated on the glass.”

The collapse was especially painful for Hammon, who pointed out that despite her team’s remarkable talent, they couldn’t match the Liberty’s sense of urgency. “We needed back-to-back great games, but their will and determination were just stronger,” she said, giving credit to New York while acknowledging the painful lessons her team now faces.

Asia Wilson, who had been an MVP-caliber player all season, faced her own heartbreak. Coach Hammon admitted that she “hurt the most for Asia” after such an extraordinary year. Wilson, however, took the defeat with a mix of grace and grit. “I don’t want anyone to hurt for me. We’re blessed. I get to play the game I love and get paid to do it,” she said, though her frustration was evident. “We didn’t want to end the season this way, but that’s the nature of the game.”

Wilson, reflecting on the intense pressure of going for a three-peat, admitted how grueling the season had been. “Three-peats are hard. That’s why you don’t see them happen often. Everyone gives you their best shot, game after game,” she said. “We felt everyone’s best effort, even before the banners went up.”

Chelsea Gray echoed Wilson’s sentiments, revealing just how much the team had endured throughout the season. “We fought through adversity all year—whether it was injuries, losses, or just trying to stay together as a unit,” Gray shared. “In that locker room, we’re family. We’ve been through highs and lows, and I’ll go to war with that crew any day.”

Gray emphasized how the team became closer over the course of the season, despite the chaos and pressure surrounding them. “Sometimes, in the rush to win games or recover from losses, you miss out on loving your teammates. This season, we made sure to lift each other up every day. We’re resilient,” she added.

Even as Hammon and the players tried to remain composed, it was clear that the defeat cut deep. The Liberty’s win wasn’t just a game lost—it was a wake-up call for the Aces, who now face an offseason of soul-searching. “We’ve got a lot of work to do,” Hammon admitted. “We’ve changed the way this league plays, but we have to be better. The hard part is, it’s probably not going to be the same group next year.”

The Aces coach also reflected on her team’s groundbreaking impact on the league. “We sped up the game, we spaced it out, and we made it more exciting. But now, everyone’s caught up. We changed the way the league plays, but that same style came back to bite us when we couldn’t make our shots. And the layups we missed in the fourth quarter—that’s just unacceptable.”

Despite the disappointment, the Aces remain defiant. Hammon, known for her competitive spirit, promised that this loss would fuel their fire next season. “We talked our crap last year, and they got to smack us this year,” she said, referencing the trash talk that had fueled the rivalry between the Aces and Liberty. “But we’ll be back, and the focus level will be very different. I can guarantee that.”

Wilson, too, vowed to use this setback as motivation for next year. “This loss hurts, but we’re not done,” she said with determination. “We’ll take this into the offseason and come back stronger.”

As for the future of the Aces, there are already whispers of changes ahead. Hammon alluded to the possibility that not everyone would return next season, saying, “It’s not going to be the same group next year, and that’s hard because I love these women. They’re a pain in my ass sometimes, but I love them.”

For now, the basketball world is left in shock. The once-dominant Las Vegas Aces have fallen, and the New York Liberty have claimed their spot as the team to beat. The Aces, however, are already plotting their return. With a long offseason ahead, the question remains: will they rise again, or has this stunning loss signaled the end of their reign?

Stay tuned, because the WNBA’s biggest rivalry is far from over.