Following a hard-fought Game 3 loss to the Las Vegas Aces, Indiana Fever’s Lexie Hull delivered a refreshingly candid and honest post-game interview. While praising her team’s competitive spirit, Hull did not shy away from pointing out the key factors that led to the defeat, placing a strong emphasis on shot-making and the necessary adjustments for the next game. Her comments reflected not only the disappointment with the result but also the team’s fierce determination to overcome the challenge.

High Competitive Spirit, But Lacking Efficiency

Lexie Hull began the press conference by affirming that the team’s competitive spirit was “good”. However, she quickly got to the heart of the matter, stating that “at the end of the day, you know, you just look at the field goal makes and the free throw makes” to see the difference. Hull acknowledged that the Vegas Aces are a powerhouse team “for a reason”, but she still felt good about where her team stood, believing that “we just got to make a little more shots”.

This is an objective and insightful assessment. While a fighting spirit is essential, in basketball, scoring efficiency is what ultimately decides games. The inability to convert opportunities into points proved to be the Fever’s Achilles’ heel in this matchup, especially against a formidable opponent like the Las Vegas Aces, who boast a roster filled with talent and experience.

Dealing with the Force of Asia Wilson and Alissa Smith

When asked about the Aces’ strategy of walling off the paint, which troubled the Fever, Hull explained, “they have a big presence obviously with Asia Wilson and Alissa Smith in there”. Both are cornerstone players for the Aces, known for their dominant defensive and offensive capabilities. Countering this duo requires seamless coordination and sound decision-making from the Fever.

Hull emphasized that it’s all about “making the right read” and “snapping the ball out and trying to find the next one”. Personally, Hull affirmed her desire to “remain aggressive” even though her shots weren’t falling her way in this game. Her goal is “to always get there and create for others”, showcasing her selfless, team-first mentality. The strong presence of Wilson and Smith in the paint forced the Fever to alter their offensive approach, looking for more outside shots or quick plays to avoid getting bogged down.

Alissa Smith: A Tough Obstacle

Another notable point Hull mentioned was the recent success of Alissa Smith. She described Smith as “physical” and having “done a good job of really imposing her will of being physical in her matchup”. Smith’s ability to attack the paint and her aggressive play created significant challenges for the Fever’s defense. Having a player who can consistently drive, score, or create opportunities from close range puts immense pressure on any defensive scheme.

Missed Opportunities and a Lesson in Urgency

Hull was also asked about a pre-game analogy to baseball about “hitting singles instead of hitting home runs” and whether the team did a good job of that. She felt the Fever had “a lot of good opportunities” and “more open shots in this ball game than we did in the last one”. Hull also praised the improved ball movement and ability to attack and make reads, which led to more free-throw opportunities. The persistent issue, however, was that “they just didn’t go in”.

Crucially, Hull admitted that while the team had “some breakdowns at times defensively,” they also went through stretches where they “really gave ourselves a chance on the defensive end”. A major missed opportunity was not capitalizing on A’ja Wilson’s slow start. Hull felt the team lacked a “sense of urgency” after securing offensive rebounds. “When we get the offensive glass, they’re not guarding two people on the floor, so we can run free,” Hull explained. “I felt like we didn’t have a sense of urgency once we got it. We’ve either got to go back up with it strong or we got to get it out and attack while they’re in rotation.” This highlights the need for increased intensity and quicker decision-making in critical moments.

Handling Jackie Young and Overcoming Defeat

When asked about the difficulties presented by guard Jackie Young, Hull noted she is a “strong guard”. She excels at using screeners like A’ja Wilson and Alissa Smith, often leaving Fever defenders trailing. Hull stated this would be a major focus for the next game: “trying to blow those up so she doesn’t get as easy of straight-line drives to the basket”.

Regarding how to process the loss and prepare for Sunday, Hull shared advice from her coach: “You only can be emotional about it for the rest of the night”. As someone who is always hard on herself, she admitted it would be emotional. But “after today, you turn the page and you look forward to tomorrow and stacking the day and getting the reps that you need to get to be successful on Sunday”. This is a vital reminder of the mental resilience required in professional sports.

Lexie Hull – The Master of Drawing Offensive Fouls

An interesting detail that emerged was that Lexie Hull has drawn the most offensive fouls in the WNBA this year, including the playoffs. When asked how she does it, Hull simply replied, “I’m just trying to defend as hard as I can and there’s only certain screens you’re allowed to set”. She just tries to “trail them”. This demonstrates her high basketball IQ and deep understanding of the rules, which she uses to her advantage on the defensive end.

This game, like any playoff contest, has provided valuable lessons for the Indiana Fever. Lexie Hull’s candid words not only shed light on the challenges the team is facing but also reveal their unwavering resolve. With a resilient mindset and a focus on improvement, the Fever are looking ahead to Game 4 with hopes of turning the series around.