Last 90 Seconds Of WNBA Finals

The 2023 WNBA season was capped off with the Las Vegas Aces holding off a late rally by the New York Liberty to win back-to-back WNBA titles for the first time in over 20 years. This game felt set up to be a classic regardless of which team won, and it didn’t disappoint as far as coming down to the final possession.

Late-game situations are the best of times, and the worst of times for coaches. Everything can be done right while still falling on the wrong end of the scoreboard. So, when watching the final 90 seconds of the WNBA Finals two things came to mind, and I’d be curious what you either thought of the game or how you would’ve handled the final seconds.

Timeout Management

“If you were to tell me you can guarantee the ball in one of your best player’s hands with 14 seconds on the clock to go make a play, you’d take that every day of the week.”

– Joe Mazzulla

Joe Mazzulla has been labeled the coach that never calls time-outs and he doubles down on the Old Man & 3 Podcast, but with one caveat. Does the rest of the team know what to do in those last 14 seconds, or is it completely unscripted? Mazzulla still affirms not using a timeout for the final possession is the right decision; however, where he intends to improve as a coach is the player preparation to execute without hesitation.

During Game 4 of the WNBA Finals, the NY Liberty found themselves in a similar situation, and Head Coach Sandy Brondello initially opted for a Mazzulla-like strategy. Sabrina Ionescu had the chance to attack in transition with roughly 17 seconds to explore scoring opportunities. After 10 seconds without a threat, Coach Brondello saw the possession likely to flatline and decided to use her final timeout with 8.8 seconds remaining.

The biggest issue here is that a miss or make by the Liberty still would’ve left a one-possession game.

• If MISS, then Liberty has to foul with one timeout remaining in their pocket down a maximum of 3 points.
• If MAKE, then Liberty still keeps a timeout to use either as a defensive tactic or if the Aces were to score again with time remaining for the final shot.

Think Players, Not Plays

Not sure who I stole it from, but I liked it and always kept it on my Gameday Playsheet as a reminder.

The final 90 seconds of this game were determined by playmaking. Of the 4 plays that appeared to be called, not one seemed to either result in a made basket or land in the hands of who it was intended for that did end as a made field goal.

This isn’t to suggest that having plays is overrated, as opposed to at the end of the day – don’t overthink setting up the perfect play instead challenging players to be as close to perfect during pressure.

For sanity sake, remember there are two sides to any result.

• Breanna Stewart (Liberty) still got the ball within 15 feet and 8.8 seconds to operate.
• Aces Alysha Clark holds her ground defensively forcing the kick-out.
• Betnijah Laney makes a one more pass to Vandersloot (Liberty) in the corner.
• Shot goes up . . .

It’s a miss or make game.