New York Liberty Tops Las Vegas Aces in Semifinals

The New York Liberty began their WNBA semifinals with a strong 87-77 victory over the Las Vegas Aces, led by Breanna Stewart’s 34 points and Sabrina Ionescu’s 21 points. This matchup marks a rematch of last year's Finals, where the Aces defeated the Liberty in four games. The Liberty, determined to avenge that loss, showcased impressive teamwork and defense, building a substantial lead early in the game and maintaining it despite a comeback attempt from the Aces. The game was highlighted by significant contributions from Jonquel Jones, who added 13 points and 12 rebounds, and a solid performance by Kelsey Plum and A'ja Wilson for the Aces, who scored 24 and 21 points respectively. The win reflects the Liberty's strong regular-season performance, where they had the league's best record, and sets the stage for Game 2 on Tuesday night in New York. Stewart's performance also marked a historic achievement, extending her streak of playoff games scoring in double digits to 35, surpassing Lisa Leslie's record.