Breanna Stewart led the New York Liberty to a triumphant 87-77 victory over the Las Vegas Aces in Game 1 of their semifinals series, scoring a remarkable 34 points. Sabrina Ionescu also made a significant contribution to the win with 21 points, while Jonquel Jones recorded a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Game 2 of this exciting best-of-5 matchup is scheduled for Tuesday night in New York.
The Liberty’s victory over the Aces marks a significant moment as it was a revenge match from last season’s WNBA Finals that the Aces had won in four games, including clinching the championship on New York’s home court. This season, the Liberty, fueled by the motivation from that loss, secured the best record in the league and claimed the top seed in the playoffs.
In a strong showing, the Liberty took an early lead behind Breanna Stewart’s exceptional performance, leading 28-21 after the first quarter. Although the Aces tried to narrow the gap, New York ended the second quarter with a solid 11-4 run to enter halftime with a 10-point advantage.
Throughout the game, Stewart continued to dominate, showcasing her scoring prowess by hitting eight of her ten shots in the first half. The Liberty extended their lead in the third quarter, with Stewart’s three-pointer expanding the gap to 62-44. Despite a brief comeback from the Aces, New York managed to maintain control and ended the third quarter with a nine-point lead.
In the final quarter, Sabrina Ionescu’s impressive performance, including a crucial 3-pointer, sealed the victory for the Liberty. The team’s resilience and strong team effort helped them secure a pivotal win in the semifinals series.
This matchup between the Liberty and the Aces is historic, as it marks the first time in WNBA history that the previous season’s finals participants faced each other in the semifinals following a change in the league’s playoff format in 2016. The thrilling competition between these two top teams has captured the attention of basketball fans and promises an exciting continuation in Game 2.
