Aces Secure Convincing 99-82 Victory Over Liberty in WNBA Finals Opener
In the opening game of the WNBA Finals, Las Vegas Aces showcased their guard prowess, securing a commanding 99-82 victory over the New York Liberty.
The dynamic trio of Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, and Kelsey Plum dominated the game, collectively contributing 72 points, much to the delight of a raucous sold-out crowd.
Young and Plum, each with 26 points, led the charge, with Young knocking down five 3-pointers and Plum displaying her prowess driving to the basket. Chelsea Gray orchestrated the offense beautifully, tallying 20 points and nine assists.
A'ja Wilson added 19 points to the Aces' total, with only eight points coming from other players. The Liberty, known for their superior depth, had five players scoring in double figures. Breanna Stewart, this season's league MVP, led the Liberty with 21 points, while Jonquel Jones contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds. Marine Johannes came off the bench to score 14 points but was shut out in the second half as the Aces deployed double teams against her. Sabrina Ionescu, averaging 16.3 points in the playoffs, was held to just seven points.
The Aces' impressive defensive performance left the Liberty struggling to find their rhythm. Game 2 of this best-of-five series is scheduled for Wednesday in Las Vegas, and the Liberty have experience rebounding after losing Game 1 of their semifinal series against the Connecticut Sun. They ultimately won the next three games to secure a spot in the championship round.
Despite the star-studded matchup between teams boasting three WNBA MVPs, the game played out much like their regular-season encounters, with the closest result being a nine-point difference. The Aces took control of the game, embarking on an 11-2 run that transformed their 67-63 lead late in the third quarter into a 78-65 advantage early in the fourth. They extended their lead to 94-72 with 3:32 left in the game.
The exceptional performance of the Aces' trio of guards was evident on both ends of the floor, contributing 38 points and four steals in the second half.
The Aces remain undefeated this postseason with a 6-0 record. While the Liberty managed to beat Las Vegas during the regular season, they now need to devise a significantly different strategy for a franchise in pursuit of its first championship.
Tom Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback and recently approved minority owner of the Aces, made his presence felt by sitting courtside alongside Las Vegas majority owner Mark Davis. A celebrity-filled crowd, including LeBron James, Mark Wahlberg, and Sheryl Swoopes, attended the game, and recording artist Ashanti provided halftime entertainment.
The Aces showcased their dominance in Game 1, but the Liberty aim to bounce back and make the series more competitive as the Finals continue.
SportsLigue