In a showcase of basketball skill, Marine Johannes set the court ablaze, delivering an 17-point performance that included five 3-pointers. Jonquel Jones, a formidable presence, asserted her dominance in the paint with 16 points and an astounding 15 rebounds. The New York Liberty, akin to a determined storm, executed their mission to perfection, dismantling the Las Vegas Aces with an 82-63 win on Tuesday evening. This victory marked a significant achievement in the third iteration of the dynamic WNBA Commissioner’s Cup championship.
This event carved a significant notch in history, as the Liberty dealt the Las Vegas Aces their inaugural loss on home turf this season, effectively ending a remarkable 16-game winning streak. This marked the second occasion in under two weeks that the Liberty contained the Aces to a score below 65 points, vividly showcasing their steadfast defensive expertise.
During a heart-pounding third quarter, the New York team launched into a dynamic 15-5 burst, propelling them to a formidable 56-48 advantage. The momentum peaked with back-to-back, meticulously aimed 3-pointers courtesy of Kayla Thornton, accompanied by an awe-inspiring performance by Sabrina Ionescu in the fourth quarter, extending their lead to a commanding 66-52.
Liberty asserted their dominance, converting an impressive 15 out of 35 attempts. In contrast, the Aces faced struggles, managing to sink only 5 out of 26 shots. The Liberty’s unyielding defense firmly contained A’ja Wilson, who is the offensive force of the Aces, limiting her to a mere nine points, all of which came in the first half.
Breanna Stewart’s clutch performance resulted in 13 essential points, while Ionescu’s crucial 12 points and Courtney Vandersloot’s dynamic display, which included 11 points and masterful orchestration of 10 assists, elegantly showcased the multifaceted brilliance of the Liberty’s offensive tactics. Undoubtedly the heart and soul of the game, Jonquel Jones clinched the highly sought-after MVP title, solidifying her 11th double-double of the season. Backed by Kayla Thornton’s contribution of eight points, the Liberty emerged victorious with an impressive 28-8 advantage in bench points.
In Las Vegas, even though Jackie Young (16 points), Chelsea Gray (15 points), and Kelsey Plum (15 points) displayed heroic efforts, the team faced a challenging hurdle with a discouraging 33% field goal percentage. Liberty asserted their dominance on the boards, amassing an impressive 49-28 rebound advantage.
Contest kicked off with an edge-of-the-seat beginning as both squads missed their initial seven field goal attempts. It was only when Stewart broke the deadlock with a three-pointer that the tension began to ease. Las Vegas encountered even more difficulties, converting just one shot out of their first 16 tries. This struggle underscored New York’s steadfast defensive strategy, which played a pivotal role in the outcome.
An enthralling first half saw New York leading 32-23, only to be eclipsed by a fierce Las Vegas comeback, with Gray leading the charge. The Aces surged to a 34-32 lead at halftime, despite a subpar 30% field goal rate.
This thrilling in-season tournament showcased New York and Las Vegas as the pinnacle teams of the Eastern and Western Conferences. Each Liberty player is set to receive a substantial $30,000 reward, while Aces players will take home approximately $10,000 each.
With both the Aces (27-3) and the Liberty (24-6) dominating the WNBA regular-season standings, securing playoff berths, their impending rematch in the regular-season game promises to be a showdown for the ages. Riding high on a six-game winning streak, New York’s supremacy remains unchallenged.
As the Aces, reigning champions of both the Commissioner’s Cup and the WNBA title from last season, lick their wounds, the Liberty stands tall as the undeniable force to be reckoned with this year.
