Jones, Stewart lead Liberty past Aces to avoid WNBA Finals sweep

NEW YORK (AP) — Jonquel Jones scored 27 points and Breanna Stewart added 20 to help the New York Liberty beat the Las Vegas Aces 87-73 on Sunday in the WNBA Finals and force a Game 4.

The New York Liberty faced adversity in the first two games against the Las Vegas Aces in Las Vegas. However, in Game 3, they regained their shooting touch behind the impressive performance of Jonquel Jones, who contributed 27 points, including four of the team’s 13 successful 3-point shots.

Liberty coach Sandy Brondello praised Jones and her impact on the game, stating, “She was huge for us. Those 3’s changed the moment of the game a bit. The ball went in. Other games, the ball wasn’t going in for us. We got back to our identity. Proud of the effort and commitment and connection we had. Now we’ve got to do it again.”

This victory marked the New York Liberty’s first win in the WNBA Finals since Teresa Weatherspoon’s iconic half-court shot in Game 2 against Houston in 1999. Despite the win, the Aces still lead the best-of-five series 2-1, with Game 4 scheduled for Wednesday night in New York.

At halftime, the Liberty held a slim three-point lead. However, they started the third quarter strong, scoring the first eight points and extending their lead to double digits. The crowd of 17,143 erupted in excitement. The Liberty maintained their momentum and ended the third quarter with a 61-50 lead.

The Aces, led by A’ja Wilson, managed to trim the deficit to six points. Nevertheless, Breanna Stewart’s turnaround jumper and Betnijah Laney’s steal and layup quickly pushed the Liberty’s lead back to 10 points.

The Las Vegas Aces struggled to mount a comeback in the remaining time, and star guard Chelsea Gray exited the game in the fourth quarter due to a foot injury. Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon provided no immediate update on Gray’s condition.

Kelsey Plum’s 29 points and A’ja Wilson’s 16 points and 11 rebounds were not enough for the Aces. The team, aiming to win consecutive titles for the first time since the 2001-02 Los Angeles Sparks, acknowledged the challenge posed by the determined Liberty. Wilson stated, “This is a good team we’re talking about, obviously a different feeling in their place. We still have a chance to take care of business.”

In the postseason, the Aces had won their first seven games by an average margin of 17.3 points, aiming to achieve an undefeated record. However, they fell short in Game 3 against the Liberty. The Aces now face the opportunity to close out the series and secure the championship title.

Prior to Game 3, the series had been characterized by blowout victories, with the closest game being a nine-point win by the New York Liberty on August 28. However, the Liberty’s competitiveness and the enthusiastic sellout crowd, which included NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and basketball legends Dawn Staley, Sue Bird, and Tony Parker, fueled their strong performance in this crucial game.

The first half showcased moments of excellent play from the Liberty, highlighted by Jones’ layup that extended their lead to 41-34 with 2:27 remaining. However, the Aces managed to narrow the gap, and the Liberty held a slim 43-40 lead at halftime. Jones ended the first half with 16 points, complemented by Kelsey Plum’s 15 points for the Aces.