New York, October 8, 2024. The New York Liberty ensured the WNBA Finals went into Game 4 after defeating the Las Vegas Aces Sunday with an 82-75 victory. The team left the defending champions dreaming no longer of a sweep and a chance at three wins in a row.
New York came into the series playing for its life, having lost the first two games on the road in Las Vegas. They turned up Friday night with a determination to avoid a sweep, sparked by its MVP candidate, Breanna Stewart, and All-Star guard, Sabrina Ionescu.
Stewart asserted herself throughout, scoring 28 points with 12 rebounds and 5 assists, and was a constant factor in the paint. She also hit some big shots down the stretch to help New York squeak one out against a late Aces attack. Ionescu chipped in with 19 points, hitting four clutch three-pointers as the Liberty maintained control during the Aces’ frantic rally.
Las Vegas, searching for a second consecutive WNBA title, never really seemed to get into much of a rhythm. On this night, A’ja Wilson led the Aces with 22 points and 10 rebounds as the Liberty defense, bolstered by Jonquel Jones, contained their opponent’s mighty offense most of the evening.
In New York, the defense was best in how it limited Las Vegas star guard Kelsey Plum, who carried over and was quite effective in the first two outings of this series. Plum scored a season-low 12 points. The team shot a season-low 42% from the field.
Liberty coach Sandy Brondello on the kind of game her team played, reflective of the resilience that had been known going into tonight. “We knew our backs were against the wall,” she said. “But the energy and fight we showed tonight is what we’re all about. This series is far from over.”.
Now down behind in the series Aces 2-1, the Liberty will take the contest into a do-or-die Game 5 with a win over Aces in New York. Another great situation for Liberty to tie the series and an overnight force Game 5 is just around the corner.
Now just one win away from their second consecutive championship, but there is something to be said from Liberty and Aces that they have shown they don’t back down easily.
