In the game against the Mercury, Gray went 7-for-8 from downtown as she put up 27 points. 2 minutes later.
The Las Vegas Aces were knocked out of the playoffs by the Phoenix Mercury in a game they thought they could win.
The crushing took place on Saturday. And in style.
In a game with 23 3-pointers, Las Vegas set a WNBA record for most 3-pointers in a single game. The previous record for 3s in a game was 18 which was done five times. The players made at least one shot.
With a 2-0 first-round sweep of the Seattle Storm, the Las Vegas Aces became the first team to advance to the semifinals in the future.
The first 10 shots of the game were a record for the playoffs. The 11 3-pointers they made in the first half were a playoff record. The team finished with a 63.9% success rate from long range.
She has said that defense will be the key if the team is to win the first title. She had to smile when she said that Las Vegas had never before performed from long range.
The Mercury defended. Las Vegas made 42% of their 3-point attempts despite the fact that they were contesting 26 of them. They had 31 assists.
The offense was special. I wouldn't want to not give them credit.
The Sky beat the Knicks by 38 points to set a record for the largest margin of victory in a playoff game. The Aces were able to match that win. It was the first time in the history of the playoffs that two teams didn't play each other.
The Mercury's first year coach had dealt with more than any other coach in the league this season, according to the Mercury's second year coach.
Center Tina Charles had a contract divorce from the team in June and guard Diana Taurasi has a quad injury that has kept her out of the last six games. Four of them have been athletes.
In Wednesday's Game 1 loss, Shey Peddy, one of the team's top defenders and stabilizing forces, suffered an injury and will not be able to play in the rest of the season. Kaela Davis was brought in by the Mercury to help run the point position. She had a team-high 23 points.
In the off-season, the Mercury have a lot to learn. She has been with Phoenix for 18 years and just finished her 18th season in the league. She wants to continue playing but hasn't made a decision.
Diggins-Smith has a year left on her contract with Phoenix, but there was no love lost between her and the team. The man was sentenced to nine years in prison on drug charges. A prisoner swap between the United States and Russia would allow her to be released more quickly.
The focus on Saturday was on her team's determination to make the playoffs despite all it has been through, and on the Mercury's and the WNBA's continued efforts to get him back.
There were many challenges. I'm really proud of our team and thankful for the chance to represent the Phoenix Mercury. They have a great fighting spirit. They are tough. There are larger things in life. Our season was hard, but it's not as hard as the one we're in right now. All that is in perspective.
Gray made 9 of 11 shots and 7 of 8 from 3-point range. She won a championship in 2016 with the Los Angeles Sparks. She was a free agent when she signed with the Aces last year.
She led Las Vegas with eight assists. Gray made seven of the 18 3-pointers and assisted on three of them. At the right time, Gray has become hot. She shot 34% from 3-point range in the first half of the year. In July and August, her shooting percentage went from 42% to 62%.
The former Duke star has excelled on the defensive side. Gray held the Mercury to a combined 33% shooting in the two games where she was the primary defense.
We're playing our best basketball as a team right now. You want to be at your best. That's what I feel for myself.
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