New York Liberty Win Semifinals 3-1, Advance to 2023 WNBA Finals against Las Vegas
Published on October 1, 2023 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
New York Liberty News Release
On Sunday, the New York Liberty defeated the Connecticut Sun, 87-84,in Game 4 of their 2023 WNBA Semifinals series, winning the series 3-1 and securing the franchise's first WNBA Finals appearance since 2002.
New York finished with three 20-point scorers in today's closeout victory, marking the first-ever occurrence in franchise postseason history. Entering today's contest, there had only been 13 other times in WNBA postseason history that a team has finished with three 20-point scorers.
At Mohegan Sun Arena, the Liberty finished on 41.2% (28-68) shooting from the field, 45.5% (10-22) from three, and 84.0% (21-25) at the free throw line.
New York out-rebounded Connecticut, 42-33, and also outscored Connecticut, 42-34, in the paint.
Through two rounds this postseason, the Liberty have four players averaging 16-plus points per game: Breanna Stewart (19.8), Betnijah Laney (17.0), Jonquel Jones (16.5), and Sabrina Ionescu (16.3). The Liberty are the first team in WNBA history to have four different players averaging 16-plus points per game entering the Finals.
Up Next: The New York Liberty will take on the Las Vegas Aces in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Sunday, October 8, at 3 p.m. ET on ABC.
KEY RUNS
Q1: Connecticut went on a 21-9 run from the 4:11 mark of the first to the 6:16 mark of the second quarter.
Q2: New York went on a 14-6 run from the 5:58 mark of the second to the 2:54 mark of the quarter.
Q3: New York opened the second half with a 7-0 run through the 7:09 mark of the quarter, prompting a Connecticut timeout.
Q4: Connecticut responded with a 19-7 run from the 1:12 mark of the third to the 3:54 mark of the fourth quarter.
PLAYER NOTABLES
New York finished with three double-digit scorers in today's game (Stewart, Jones, Laney).
The 2023 Kia WNBA Most Valuable Player, Breanna Stewart, finished with a game-high 27 points on 45% (9-20) shooting from the field, including 60% (3-5) from three, nine rebounds, and two blocks.
Marking the 16th double-double of her postseason career and league-leading sixth double-double this postseason, Jonquel Jones totaled 25 points and a postseason franchise-record-tying 15 rebounds on 50% (7-14) shooting from the field, 66.7% (2-3) from three, and 75% (9-12) from the line, as well as a postseason career-high-tying four blocks, two assists, and a steal. Nine of her 25 points came in the third quarter, while her seven first-quarter rebounds tied a postseason career-high for a quarter.
Following her steal at the 0:45 mark of the fourth quarter, the 20th of her postseason career, Jonquel was fouled on a breakaway layup attempt and sank both free throw attempts, giving the Liberty a two-possession lead with 0:42 remaining in the contest.
Including today's performance, Jones has recorded a double-double in every contest this postseason, tying the WNBA postseason record for the most consecutive double-doubles in a single postseason and setting the league record for the most consecutive double-doubles to start a postseason.
Her six double-doubles this postseason are a franchise single-postseason record and the franchise career-postseason double-double record.
In today's Game 4, Jones also recorded her 500th career postseason point with her second free throw at the 8:19 mark of the third quarter.
Highlighted by a postseason career-high-tying nine first-quarter points, Betnijah Laney finished with 21 points on 44.4% (8-18) shooting from the field, including 42.9% (3-7) from three, seven rebounds, and a postseason career-high-tying five assists. She has scored 19-plus points in five of New York's six games this postseason -- all New York wins.
For Connecticut, Alyssa Thomas finished with a 17-point, 15-rebound, 11-assist triple-double, while Tiffany Hayes added 15 points and two rebounds.
LIBERTY 87 | SUN 84
2023 WNBA SEMIFINALS: NY wins series 3-1
October 1, 2023
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 FINAL
LIBERTY 19 26 21 21 87
SUN 23 21 14 26 84
GAME LEADERS NEW YORK CONNECTICUT
POINTS Stewart (27) Thomas (17)
REBOUNDS Jones (15) Thomas (15)
ASSISTS Ionescu, Vandersloot (7) Thomas (11)
TEAM NOTABLES
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from October 1, 2023
- New York Liberty Win Semifinals 3-1, Advance to 2023 WNBA Finals against Las Vegas - New York Liberty
- Connecticut Sun's Season Ends in WNBA Semifinals, Drop Game 4 to New York 87-84 - Connecticut Sun
- New York Liberty Advance to WNBA Finals for First Time Since 2002 - New York Liberty
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