The Liberty defeated the Aces 90-82 in their first matchup since the 2023 WNBA Finals. With the victory, the Liberty improve to 12-2, while the Aces fall to 6-6 on the season.
Thank you for tuning into the LIGHT SHOW ????
Oh and run those All-Star votes up so we can #LIGHTUPTHEVALLEY????️
????: https://t.co/GVBxBhSKhF#SEAFOAMSZN | #LIGHTITUPNYL pic.twitter.com/sdqWoevOcJ
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) June 15, 2024
Aces unable to beat Liberty
The Aces got out to a strong start, leading the Liberty 9-8 midway through the first quarter until the Liberty went on an 11-2 run. New York led the Aces 28-20 at the end of the first quarter, thanks to a Sabrina Ionescu three-pointer.
New York went 7-8 (87%) from three in the first quarter, while the Aces shot only 2-9. In the second quarter, the Aces defense did a better job guarding the three, limiting the Liberty to 1-7 shooting from outside the arc. The Aces went into halftime trailing New York by two points, 45-43, with Kelsey Plum leading the way with 14 points.
The third quarter was full of runs from both teams starting with a 9-2 Aces run giving them a 53-47 lead. New York would respond with a 11-0 run putting them up double digits 58-. The Aces would be cut into the deficit late but they would trail by 7, 67-60 after three quarters of play.
The Liberty led by double digits for most of the fourth quarter, with their highest lead of 18 coming after a Jonquel Jones three-pointer, giving her 30 points for the game. The Aces would hit some three-pointers late in the game after the starters were pulled, keeping the game close but ultimately losing 90-82.
Four Liberty players scored in double digits, as the team shot 48% from the field and 42% from three-point range. Jonquel Jones led New York with 34 points and eight rebounds, shooting 4-5 from three.
Sabrina Ionescu finished with 15 points, Breanna Stewart scored 14, and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton finished with 12.
Kelsey Plum started the game 6-6 from the field and led the Aces in scoring with 22 points on 61% shooting. Plum also moved up to number 2 in the Aces all time assist leaders in franchise history.
???????? ???????????? ???????? & ???????? ⬆️@kelseyplum10 has the 2nd most assists in Aces franchise history!#ALLINLV pic.twitter.com/DgkOAYyLnP
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) June 15, 2024
A’ja Wilson finished the game with 21 points and 9 rebounds shooting 9-16 (56%) from the field. Wilson increased her streak to 17 games with at least 20 points.
Alysha Clark ended in double figures with 13 points on 5-9 from the field. Jackie Young struggled from the field, going 4-12, but ended with 10 points.
The Aces will have a few days off before a rematch with the Seattle Storm on Wednesday. NBA TV will broast the game, which begins at 7pm.
