WNBA FINALS: LAS VEGAS VS. CONNECTICUT

September 10, 2022

Kelsey Plum

Las Vegas Aces

Practice Day

Q. Chelsea Gray – the last six games, two three weeks, is there a moment to you that sticks out, one play or sequence that really sticks out to you?

KELSEY PLUM: It’s the body of work. Over the course of, not even just the playoffs, but the bigger games we’ve had during the regular season, she’s been absolutely dynamite for us. It’s coming to that point that where anytime there’s a tight moment or shot clock situation, find a way to get her the ball, let her make a play. She’s made clutch shots since she’s been in the league, so it’s nothing new for us.

Q. When you think about the style of what the series could be, obviously Connecticut has a lot of frontcourt depth -- how do you think about the balance between playing what you want to do, not falling into what they want to do?

KELSEY PLUM: It’s definitely a clash of styles. It’ll be super interesting too, because I’m sure as the series goes on a lot of adjustments will be made. It’s like an inward battle of coaching staffs and in-game adjustments, and adjustments from game to game. They’ve had a lot of success against us, if you look at their record against us the past couple years, I think it’s significant because they are tough. They play their style and they don’t get rattled. We have to be really locked in, come in with our game plan and stick to it.

Q. Your team had that meeting in New York [after the All-Star break] and I’ve talked to a couple different people about it; what was your perspective about it and why was it needed at that moment?

KELSEY PLUM: I think for us, we kind of got away from who we were, we lost our head defensively, and because of that, offense isn’t always going to be there and we have to play together and really lock in on the defense. I think that since that meeting we’ve been first in the league in Defensive Efficiency Rating, and so I think it was an important moment for the team.

Q. What were your takeaways of what you needed to do personally after that meeting?

KELSEY PLUM: I needed to be better – I needed to make better decisions and be more active defensively. Can’t have lapses on defense. Becky [Hammon] was on us in that meeting, but I get a lot of responsibility, so I have to be ready to have thick skin. She is going to hold the team accountable and that was a good example of it.

Q. Your team likes each other off the court – but sometimes that can take time to transition to chemistry on the court. What kind of sacrifices do you have to make to make sure everyone is staying involved and taking responsibility?

KELSEY PLUM: You can see it from game to game, a lot of times someone will come out and have a great first quarter, and then the team will come out and adjust. Take the last game against Seattle, I came out hot in the first quarter, then the defense in the second quarter adjusts and starts trapping me, and then A’ja [Wilson] gets going, and then they adjust again, and Chelsea [Gray] gets going. That’s why it’s a team, that’s why were’ built like that – you have to be ready when your number is called.

Q. From the All-Star Game to Commissioner’s Cup, to having a franchise-best regular season and these playoff games, you’ve experienced a lot of big moments this year. What’s it been like for you coming into this, about to host Game of the WNBA Finals?

KELSEY PLUM: I’m really excited, it’s such an opportunity. I feel like I’ve been working for this moment for a long time, and for a bunch of different reasons over the years have fallen short. I love this team and I love this city, and it’s such a great opportunity for all of us. I play every game and go out and play hard and compete, and that’s what I’m going to do.