New York, NY – Sabrina Ionescu led the New York Liberty to a 88-84 victory over the Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday night, securing a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five semifinal series. Despite their success, Ionescu and her teammates remain focused on the task at hand, emphasizing that they haven’t achieved anything significant yet. Ionescu scored 24 points in the game and highlighted the team’s hunger for continued success. Game 3 is set to take place in Las Vegas on Friday, where the Aces will look to avoid being eliminated by the Liberty.
The Liberty’s head coach, Sandy Brondello, expressed confidence in her team’s ability to perform well on the road, recognizing that the Aces pose a significant challenge at home. With no team in WNBA postseason history ever overcoming a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-five series, the odds are in favor of New York advancing to the next round. The Aces’ forward, Alysha Clark, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of playoff series and the need for focus and determination.
The game remained tightly contested, with Ionescu delivering clutch plays down the stretch to secure the Liberty’s victory. A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young led the Aces’ efforts, but ultimately fell short against New York’s resilient performance. The Liberty’s strong start and Ionescu’s stellar play in critical moments proved to be decisive in the outcome of the game.
The support for the series extended beyond the court, with notable figures in attendance and a significant increase in viewership on TV. The intense matchup between the Liberty and Aces has garnered widespread attention and renewed interest in the WNBA playoffs. Despite the Aces’ loss of center Kiah Stokes to a potential concussion, both teams remained focused on the task at hand as they prepare for the upcoming games in the series.
As the series shifts to Las Vegas for Game 3, the Liberty will look to maintain their momentum and secure a spot in the next round, while the Aces aim to mount a comeback and extend the series. The stage is set for an exciting showdown between two determined teams vying for a spot in the WNBA Finals.