The New York Liberty made an enormous assertion on Saturday whereas engaging in a league first.
The Liberty regarded sharp in a rematch of final yr’s WNBA Finals, knocking off the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces, 79-67, and enhancing to a league-best 23-4. With the victory, New York grew to become the primary staff to say a playoff berth.
Trailing the Aces 28-24 after one quarter, the Liberty pulled away with a giant second quarter, outscoring Las Vegas 18-8 to realize a 42-36 lead on the break. New York went on to carry the lead all through the second half, poised by huge video games from Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones.
Jones completed three assists shy of a triple-double and was dominant beneath the boards. The previous MVP joined Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker and Alyssa Thomas as the one gamers in WNBA historical past to report at the least 17 rebounds, 10 factors and 7 assists in a regular-season contest, per the Liberty.
In the meantime, Ionescu and Stewart additionally shined on Saturday, recent off their profitable journey to France. Ionescu led the staff with 23 factors, six rebounds and three assists whereas Stewart recorded 18 factors and 7 rebounds together with two steals and two blocks.
The Liberty victory additionally helped head coach Sandy Brondello make historical past. The 55-year-old has led a staff to the postseason for the twelfth straight yr as a head coach. She’s the primary to perform the feat in WNBA historical past.
A number of of the Liberty’s prime stars, like Stewart and Ionescu, are coming off an exhilarating gold-medal win with Crew USA on the 2024 Paris Olympics. However they don’t seem to be letting that distract them from specializing in the second half of the WNBA season.
“There isn’t any excuses,” Stewart mentioned by way of SNY. “No person cares if we simply got here off the Olympics, and we’ve a recreation 4 days later and a nine-hour time zone change.”
With a postseason spot wrapped up, the Liberty’s focus is now on securing the primary total seed. Following Saturday’s motion, New York owns a three-game lead on the Connecticut Solar (19-6) for the highest spot within the WNBA.
