Liberty Triumph Over Aces in WNBA Showdown
LAS VEGAS — As the game clock wound down, Aja Wilson held the game ball under her arm while Breanna Stewart stood close by. They exchanged a few words, and as the final buzzer marked the Liberty’s 87-76 win over the Las Vegas Aces, they shared a quick hug.
This moment highlighted the mutual respect shared by two leading figures in the WNBA.
“She and I have been competing against each other for years,” Stewart remarked about Wilson. “You always sense when it’s a significant moment, and you want to capitalize on it. I felt aggressive, and the shots were falling for me, but, of course, winning was what mattered most.”
Stewart dominated the fourth quarter, scoring 12 of her game-high 20 points in those final minutes.
At one end, she blocked one of Wilson’s shots. Moments later, she charged past Wilson to make a three-pointer.
Han Xu expressed her admiration for Stewart’s tenacity. “Whenever she has the ball, we just think, ‘Oh, she’s going to sink this one.’ She’s really strong and tough, and I’m thrilled to play alongside her,” Han said.
Coach Chris DeMarco, despite being relatively new to the WNBA scene, understood the significance of Tuesday’s matchup against the Aces.
Both the Liberty and Aces have ranked among the top teams in the league lately, clashing in critical contests.
Previously, the Liberty claimed victory over the Aces to secure the 2023 Commissioner’s Cup but fell to them in the WNBA Finals just months later.
In 2024, however, the Liberty triumphed in the semifinals against Becky Hammon’s squad, leading to New York’s first championship.
Later this month, they will face off again in Brooklyn for the Commissioner’s Cup final.
This Tuesday matchup held deeper implications than just being a test for both teams; it’s part of an intense rivalry. It felt like a prelude to a future finals encounter, a chance to strike early before the trophy is decided.
Inspired by a prior loss to the Sparks, where they trailed by 17 points, the Liberty made a significant comeback.
They took the lead with just six minutes remaining in the first quarter and kept the Aces from gaining any ground.
DeMarco emphasized the need to unsettle Wilson, a four-time league MVP. It took a collective effort from the team.
In that regard, Tuesday’s game was a resounding success.
The Liberty limited Wilson to a mere six points in the first half, resulting in a total of 16 points for the game—tying her season low.
Post-game, attention shifted to Sabally Sato, who was ejected with over six minutes remaining in the second quarter after enduring several blows to her face. She couldn’t return for the second half due to a facial injury.
DeMarco mentioned that Sabally would be reevaluated shortly.
However, Ionescu felt pleased with the Liberty’s response to their earlier defeat. “Our team is experienced, and we know moments like that can swing the outcome of a game. The season is long,” Ionescu noted. “We just had to focus on what’s next.” She added that they need to work together to ensure they learn from setbacks.
