A vibrant Seafoam Green light shimmered as the crowd gathered at Barclays Center on Saturday afternoon, where the Liberty prepared for their momentous tip-off.
The celebration for the 2024 WNBA champions was about to commence.
Owner Clarautsai flaunted a championship ring adorned with large, sparkling diamonds as she posed with a microphone at center court.
When she and her husband Joe acquired the team in 2019, she envisioned these significant moments.
“This is our first championship,” Tsai expressed to the audience. “But it won’t be the last.”
That Saturday marked the beginning of something bigger.
The Las Vegas Aces, needing to hear cheers from their locker room during the ring ceremony, were ready to dampen New York’s celebratory mood.
Instead, the Liberty asserted that New York basketball had made its return, clinching a 92-78 win just a day after the Knicks celebrated their own Eastern Conference Finals victory for the first time in 25 years.
In what started as a fierce contest, Liberty held a solid 14-point advantage at halftime, though that lead dwindled to two by the final quarter.
Each time the Aces attempted a comeback, Liberty responded effectively.
One standout moment was when Natasha Cloud assisted Jonquel Jones for a layup during the third quarter.
Or when Cloud sprinted the entire length of the court, finishing with a layup through contact to secure a three-point play.
Hope for the Aces faded when Jones blocked A’ja Wilson late in the fourth quarter.
Breanna Stewart led Liberty with 25 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. Cloud made a notable debut, contributing 22 points, nine assists, and six rebounds.
Jones chipped in with 17 points and six assists.
This strong season opener sets the stage for Liberty as they head into their next two games on the road, facing Chicago on Thursday and Indiana next Saturday.
