LAS VEGAS (AP) — In a dominant performance, A’ja Wilson led the Las Vegas Aces to a 104-76 victory over the New York Liberty in Game 2 of the 2023 WNBA Finals. Wilson contributed 26 points and 15 rebounds, recording her 26th double-double of the season, making her the third player in WNBA Finals history to achieve at least 25 points and 15 rebounds in a game.
Chelsea Gray also had an outstanding performance with 14 points and 11 assists, earning herself a double-double. Jackie Young scored 24 points, and Kelsey Plum contributed 23 points, solidifying the Aces’ victory.
The series now stands at 2-0 in favor of the Aces, with Game 3 scheduled to take place in New York on Sunday. The Liberty face a difficult challenge, as no team has ever come back from a 0-2 deficit in the WNBA Finals.
Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart, Betnijah Laney, and Sabrina Ionescu scored 76.3 percent of New York’s points, while the remaining six players only contributed 18 points.
Despite their strong form after losses during the season, the Liberty couldn’t match the Aces’ dominance in Game 2. The Aces started the game with a remarkable 19-2 run, hitting seven of their first nine shots, including four three-pointers. In the first quarter alone, the Aces scored a new WNBA Finals record of 38 points, their highest-scoring quarter of the season.
Although the Liberty mounted a comeback in the second quarter, reducing the Aces’ lead to eight points, they couldn’t maintain their momentum in the third. The Aces embarked on a 17-3 run, expanding their lead to 69-47 by the end of the quarter. Wilson and Young played a key role in the Aces’ dominant third quarter.
The Liberty now face the daunting task of avoiding a sweep in the upcoming games.
Rachel Adams is your WNBA insider, delivering comprehensive coverage of women’s basketball. With a commitment to highlighting the talent and achievements of WNBA players, she provides game analysis, player profiles, and inspiring stories from the league.