🔥 HOT NEWS: Sandy Brondello breaks down frustration and hope in tense postgame press conference ⚡.BT

The Las Vegas Aces may have clinched a playoff spot, but the drama on the court was far from over. In a game that exposed both vulnerability and resilience, head coach Sandy Brondello, superstar Breanna Stewart, and rising talent Rebekah Gardner faced the media in a tense postgame press conference on September 2, 2025, dissecting a performance that left more questions than answers.

While the team officially secured their place in the postseason, the result of this particular matchup was a harsh wake-up call. Brondello didn’t mince words: the first half was a “mess,” a chaotic mix of stagnant offense and defensive lapses that allowed the Valkyries to seize control. “When we have to take the ball out of the net, we struggle,” Brondello admitted, highlighting the 26 points given up in transition—a glaring weakness the Aces could not ignore.

Breanna Stewart echoed the frustration, noting that the Valkyries’ defense was relentless, congesting the paint and forcing New Vegas to take contested shots. “They were everywhere,” Stewart said. “We saw bodies at every turn. It was a scrappy, tough game, and they executed their strategy perfectly in the first half.” Yet, she also praised the team’s resilience in the second half, acknowledging glimpses of what makes the Aces a championship contender.

Enter Rebekah Gardner, whose third-quarter performance injected life into a fatigued squad. Fresh legs, energy, and aggressive pressure shifted momentum, forcing the Valkyries to scramble. “By pressing the ball, I just tried to be aggressive and bring energy,” Gardner explained. “It lifted the team, and we were able to carry that through the half.” Brondello confirmed Gardner’s impact, noting her defensive tenacity and offensive movement as invaluable information for the team moving forward.

The conversation also highlighted the ongoing challenge of balancing perimeter shooting with aggressive play toward the rim. Stewart herself admitted that she had to impose her will in the second half, pushing the offense downhill and creating opportunities through contact. “Our team really needed that,” Stewart said. “In transition, when we get stops, it’s hard to defend against someone running full force at you. That’s what we had to do.”

Despite the setbacks, Brondello remained measured but firm about the lessons learned. “We’re not happy we lost the game,” she said. “But the second half shows what we’re capable of when we commit defensively. Our best offense is when we get out and run, and we did that for stretches. That’s the identity we need to maintain.”

In short, the Aces’ season remains alive, but the press conference underscored the urgency. The team must refine chemistry, maintain aggression, and balance scoring strategies to survive the playoffs. Injuries and lineup adjustments have tested the squad, but glimpses of cohesion—especially from Gardner and Stewart—show the potential for explosive postseason performances. The message was clear: the Aces are still learning, adapting, and preparing for the battles that lie ahead. Fans have every reason to be on edge, because if this team can harness that second-half energy, they could be unstoppable.