NEW YORK (AP) — In a thrilling WNBA Finals Game 3, the New York Liberty secured an 87-73 victory over the Las Vegas Aces, forcing a Game 4 in the best-of-five series.

After struggling in the previous two games in Las Vegas, the Liberty found their shooting touch in Game 3. Led by Jonquel Jones, who scored 27 points, including four of the team’s 13 3-pointers, New York dominated the court.

“She was instrumental for us,” said Liberty coach Sandy Brondello, praising Jones’ performance. “Those 3-pointers shifted the momentum of the game. The shots were falling for us today, unlike the previous games. We played to our strengths and showed great effort, commitment, and connection. Now, we need to replicate it in the next game.”

The victory marks the Liberty’s first win in the WNBA Finals since their epic triumph in 1999 when Teresa Weatherspoon made a half-court shot in Game 2 against Houston. Despite the win, the Aces maintain a 2-1 lead in the series, with Game 4 scheduled for Wednesday night in New York.

At halftime, the Liberty held a three-point lead but quickly extended it by scoring the first eight points of the third quarter. The home crowd of 17,143 erupted with excitement. New York entered the final quarter with a comfortable 61-50 lead.

The Aces, led by A’ja Wilson’s 16 points and 11 rebounds, fought back and closed the gap to six points. However, a turnaround jumper by Breanna Stewart and a steal and layup by Betnijah Laney quickly regained a 10-point lead for the Liberty.

Las Vegas failed to mount a comeback and faced another setback as star guard Chelsea Gray left the game midway through the fourth quarter due to a foot injury, leaving her status uncertain for future games.

“I can’t provide an update at the moment. We will let you know as soon as we have more information,” Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon said.

Despite the loss, Kelsey Plum contributed 29 points, and Wilson fought hard with 16 points and 11 rebounds. The Aces are determined to become the first team to win back-to-back titles since the 2001-02 Los Angeles Sparks, who followed in the footsteps of the Houston Comets, winning the WNBA’s first four championships.

“This is an exceptional team we’re facing, and it feels different playing in their home arena,” Wilson acknowledged. “However, we still have a chance to rise to the challenge and get the job done.”

Throughout the postseason, the Aces had won their previous seven games by an average of 17.3 points, aiming to make history as the first team to go 8-0 in a WNBA postseason since the Seattle Storm in 2020.

The series’ first two games, along with the four regular-season matchups, were all one-sided affairs, with the closest game being a nine-point victory for New York on August 28. That loss was the Aces’ only defeat until Game 3.

New York showcased moments of brilliance in the first half, fueled by the sold-out crowd that included NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, as well as basketball legends Dawn Staley, Sue Bird, and Tony Parker. The Liberty established a 41-34 lead on Jones’ layup with 2:27 remaining in the second quarter, but the Aces narrowed the gap to 43-40 by halftime. Jones finished the first half with an impressive 16 points, closely followed by Plum with 15.

BIG APPLE BASKETBALL IS BACK

For the first time since 2002, New York City hosted a WNBA Finals game, reigniting memories of the Liberty’s battles against the Los Angeles Sparks. Becky Hammon, now coaching the Aces, reflected on the excitement that swept through the city during the Liberty’s previous Finals runs. Since then, no basketball team from New York, whether in the NBA or WNBA, has reached that stage.

“New York City is a basketball mecca. The success of all the sports teams here, including the Nets, the Knicks, and the Liberty, brings immense joy,” Hammon expressed. “This city lives and breathes basketball. The fans demand and expect greatness on the court. If you don’t deliver, they will let you know.”

Prior Liberty stars, including Vickie Johnson, Crystal Robinson, Sue Wicks, and Teresa Weatherspoon, who played alongside Hammon during the team’s previous Finals appearances, were all in attendance. The crowd erupted with applause when they were introduced during the third quarter. Richie Adubato, New York’s coach at the time, also joined the passionate spectators.

STAR-STUDDED CROWD

Celebrities from various fields graced the Finals with their presence, including musician Joan Jett, actors Jason Sudeikis and Michael Shannon, and journalist Robin Roberts. At halftime, the crowd was treated to a performance by Lil’ Kim.

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