The New York Liberty are on the brink of securing a spot in the WNBA finals, they need just one more victory to eliminate the defending champions in this must-win scenario for Las Vegas. The Liberty are on a quest to avenge their previous defeat against the Las Vegas Aces in last year’s WNBA finals. Their upcoming game at Michelob Ultra Arena this Friday marks their most crucial match of the season thus far.
Aces head coach Becky Hammon, a former player for the Liberty, has never faced a 0-2 series deficit. Despite no team having ever come back from such a position in the WNBA, the Liberty remain cautious, fully aware of the Aces' resilience as defending champions.
During the regular season, the Liberty had a clean sweep against the Aces, winning all three encounters. However, neither team had a fully healthy lineup in those games, adding an element of unpredictability to the semifinals. The Liberty clinched home court advantage by matching their impressive 2023 record of 32-8 and securing the top spot in the standings.
Courtney Vandersloot highlighted the significance of having home court advantage and the support of the crowd. She expressed, “I feel like a broken record with this but they just keep getting better and better… sometimes I just look up & say man, everyone’s having so much fun in here. It’s such a cool environment, they give us that extra spark. Those times, man it gets loud in there and I know it’s hard to play in an environment like that.”
In Game 1, the Liberty, energized by a sellout crowd of 14,015 at Barclays Center, delivered a stellar performance. The team’s Big 3—Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones—dominated the court. Among the spectators was Spike Lee, who, wearing a Sabrina Ionescu jersey, engaged in playful banter with Aces guard Kelsey Plum. “I can’t say exactly what was said but I told him he should talk louder,” Plum remarked. Spike Lee’s antics added to the charged atmosphere as the Liberty ignited the series with a Game 1 victory.
Breanna Stewart led the charge with 34 points, setting a postseason scoring record for herself in a Liberty uniform. Sabrina Ionescu followed with 21 points, showcasing exceptional shooting accuracy, while Jonquel Jones contributed a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. The Liberty secured an 87-77 win in Game 1, maintaining a flawless record when Jones achieves a double-double.
The intensity continued into Game 2, attended by another sellout crowd of 14,321 at Barclays Center. Celebrities such as Carmelo Anthony, Robin Roberts, Gayle King, and Alicia Keys were in attendance, with Keys receiving the loudest applause.
For Game 2, the Aces displayed renewed vigor, seeking to claim a win on the road. The Aces, determined not to leave New York empty-handed, made strategic changes. Coach Hammon adjusted the lineup by starting veteran Alysha Clark. Las Vegas took an early lead with a 17-7 run but the Liberty responded in the second quarter with heroics from Kayla Thornton, who matched her career-high for postseason points in a single quarter.
The Liberty’s bench significantly outperformed the Aces, contributing 21 points against Las Vegas’ 10. Coach Brondello highlighted the bench's pivotal role, saying, "We've all talked about Slooty coming off the bench. We can get her down hill a little more. We always have 2 playmakers at all times. Bench were the player of the games and 21 points were massive tonight."
Sabrina Ionescu continued her impressive form with 24 points, becoming only the fourth player in Liberty postseason history to achieve at least three consecutive 20-point games. Her crucial plays in the final moments, including a go-ahead jumper and key free throws, helped the Liberty secure an 88-84 victory, giving them a 2-0 lead in the semifinals.
Post-game, Ionescu reflected, "Being up 2-0 is great, but we haven't won anything, I think everyone knows that. We did what we were supposed to do: win two at home, but we're not patting ourselves on the back… We’re a hungry group.”
Coach Sandy Brondello achieved her 35th playoff win, surpassing Mike Thibault for the third-most in WNBA postseason history. Notably, New York maintained a double-digit lead in each of their five encounters with Las Vegas this season.
The Liberty's defensive prowess was evident as they restrained MVP A’ja Wilson, who usually averages 11.9 rebounds per game, to under 10 rebounds in both matchups. Jonquel Jones commented on defending Wilson, "She's a great player and she's gonna score the ball, but just making everything tough for her. I think I do a good job of that. There's all these things you want to do better, and we're our hardest critics.”
As the Liberty prepare for Friday's game, their goal remains clear: to leverage their past successes against the Aces and secure their place in the WNBA finals. Facing the challenge of halting the Aces' quest for a 3-peat, the Liberty remain focused, aware of the impending battle. With three opportunities to clinch the series, New York will need to give everything they have left in the tank knowing that the Aces will fight tenaciously to stay in contention. The much-anticipated clash is set for Friday, October 4, at 9:30 PM ET at Michelob Ultra Arena, and will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Box Score, Post Game, Game Photos
Game 2 Post-Game
(Courtney Vandersloot)
(Betnijah Laney-Hamilton)
(Kayla Thornton)
(Sab + JJ + Coach Sandy Press Conference)
Game 1 Post-Game
(Leonie Fiebich)
(Breanna Stewart + Sabrina Ionescu)
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