The Aces lost to the New York Liberty 79-67, dropping to 16-9 on the season.With the win, the Liberty improve to a league-best 23-4 on the season.
Still at the TOP ✅
The @nyliberty defeats the Aces 79-67 on the road to clinch the first spot in the 2024 WNBA Playoffs presented by @google
Sabrina Ionescu dropped 23 PTS and 6 REB in to lead the way in the WIN#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/LYIrD0lmQR
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 17, 2024
Aces Liberty
The Aces, fresh off the Olympic break, jumped out to an early 16-9 lead, shooting 6-7 (85%) from the field and 4-4 from three.
https://x.com/WNBA/status/1824904386981560417
They would take a 28-17 lead with two minutes left in the quarter. New York would hold Vegas scoreless for the rest of the quarter, cutting the deficit to four, 28-24.
New York would score the opening six points of the second quarter, while the Aces offensive troubles continued. A’ja Wilson would score for the Aces in the second quarter with a jumper after they started 0-6 from the field.
The Aces shot just 4-20 in the quarter and trailed 42-36 at halftime. Jackie Young struggled in the first half, going scoreless on 0-4 from the field. Sabrina Ionescu led the Liberty in scoring with 17 points at halftime, while A’ja Wilson led the Aces with 12 points.
The Aces started the third quarter on a 4-0 run, getting within two points at 42-40, but that was the closest they got. Jackie Young, who was held scoreless in the first half, scored her first basket of the game with 3:12 left in the third quarter, pulling the Aces within three points.
It would not be enough, as New York would finish the quarter strong, leading by eight, 59-51, heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Aces hit back-to-back threes to go up four, 67-63, following a Chelsea Gray three.
GRAY-T SHOT! ????
Chelsea Gray cashes in from downtown makin' it a 3-point game
???? Liberty-Aces on CBS pic.twitter.com/mnsOCMjeRx
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 17, 2024
New York responded with a 12-0 run that increased their lead to 16, 79-63, and went on to defeat the Aces, 79-67. The Aces’ turnaround will be quick, as they play the Los Angeles Sparks tomorrow.
The Liberty had four players score in double digits, lead by Breanna Stewart with 23 points and Sabrina Ionescu with 18.
Jonquel Jones was strong on the glass, grabbing 17 rebounds to go with 10 points and 7 assists.
The Aces were led by A’ja Wilson, who had 24 points, 11 rebounds, and three steals. Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Plum each finished with 13 points to complete the double-digit scoring. Jackie Young struggled, finishing with only four points on 1-of-8 shooting.
The Aces will try to bounce back tomorrow when the Sparks visit town. The game starts at 3 p.m. and will be televised on NBA TV.
