Sabrina Ionescu had a stellar performance, scoring 22 points to lead the New York Liberty to a 76-62 victory over the Las Vegas Aces. This win secured the Liberty’s spot in the WNBA Finals, where they will have home-court advantage against either the Connecticut Sun or Minnesota Lynx. It marks the Liberty’s sixth appearance in the finals as they continue their quest for their first league title.
After suffering a defeat at the hands of the Aces in the playoffs last year, the Liberty turned that disappointment into motivation for this season. With an impressive record of 6-1 against Las Vegas including the playoffs, the Liberty have established themselves as the top team in the league.
In addition to Ionescu’s standout performance, Breanna Stewart contributed 19 points and 14 rebounds, Jonquel Jones added 14 points despite dealing with foul trouble, and Leonie Fiebich finished with 11 points. On the Aces’ side, A’ja Wilson recorded 19 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocked shots, while Kelsey Plum and Tiffany Hayes chipped in with 17 and 11 points respectively.
Ionescu quickly bounced back from a subpar performance in Game 3 by scoring 12 points in the first quarter, setting the tone for the Liberty. The game remained close until the fourth quarter when the Liberty pulled away, outscoring the Aces 23-11 in the final period to secure the victory.
The Aces, aiming to make history by winning back-to-back titles, saw their 12-game home playoff winning streak come to an end. The absence of center Kiah Stokes due to a concussion further challenged the Aces’ efforts in this crucial game.
The stage is now set for an exciting WNBA Finals series as the New York Liberty look to cap off their remarkable season with a championship win. Fans can expect intense competition as the Liberty go up against either the Connecticut Sun or Minnesota Lynx in their pursuit of that elusive first title.
