Two Aces players have scored over 100 points over six playoff games so far: A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young. The latter was huge in the Aces’ Game 3 win. She scored a game-high 25 points. Those points were invaluable in a game in which Wilson only scored 13 points.
Slowing her down will be key to keeping the Fever’s season alive, but that is easier said than done. Lexie Hull, Odyssey Sims, and Aerial Powers all had to guard Young in Game 3 and will likely find themselves matched up with the four-time All-Star again in Game 4.
The Fever’s season may very well come down to their ability to guard Young, and it all starts with Lexie Hull. She is the Fever’s best perimeter defender and Stephanie White will undoubtedly start the game with Hull on Young. At 6 feet, Young is one of the bigger and stronger guards in the league. Hull can compete with that size better than any other guard on the Fever’s roster. She is also a fearless defender, willing to fight over screens and draw charges. Nevertheless, containing Young with the season on the line is a daunting task.
Lexie Hull is doing a lot for the Fever this postseason
With six players out, everyone else on the Fever roster has had to step up. Few players have risen to the challenge more than Lexie Hull. She scored 31 points in the last two games against the Aces, is currently playing through a back injury, and takes on some of the most difficult defensive assignments.
Trying to keep up with the Aces’ guard rotation on defense is pretty much a full-time job. After all, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, and Jewell Loyd are several-time All-Stars and Olympians. Nevertheless, Hull also has to do her part on the offensive end. With Caitlin Clark, Aari McDonald, and Sophie Cunningham out, the Fever have a lot of scoring sitting on the sidelines. Hull has picked up a lot of the slack during the playoffs.
Averaging 10.5 points, Hull is the Fever’s fourth-leading scorer in the postseason. She is also one of only two players shooting over 35% from three. The Fever will need her to score as well as defend to force a Game 5.
This playoff run is preparing Hull for the future
If everything goes according to plan, the Fever’s future holds a lot of playoff success centered around Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell. Lexie Hull has established herself as the perfect role player next to the big three. She is the very picture of a 3-and-D wing. This playoff run has also shown that Hull can help a team win at the highest level.
Hull will be a restricted free agent after this season and re-signing her should be one of the Fever’s priorities.