Postgame Notes: Liberty 99, Aces 61
August 6, 2023 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
New York Liberty News Release
On Sunday, the New York Liberty (22-6) defeated the Las Vegas Aces (24-3), 99-61,in the second meeting of their 2023 four-game season series, handing Las Vegas their largest loss in franchise history.
Further, New York's 38-point margin of victory is not only a season-high, but it also ties for the second-largest in franchise history.
The two teams will match up three additional times, including the Commissioner's Cup title game on August 15, being held at Michelob ULTRA Arena at 9 pm ET.
At Barclays Center, the Liberty finished on 50% (38-76) shooting from the field, 44.7% (17-38) from three, and 100% (6-6) at the free throw. The Liberty hit seven of their season-high-tying 17 three-pointers in the second quarter.
These shooting percentages mark the fifth 50-40-100 game in franchise history, second in the last two seasons, and 34th all-time in WNBA history. Before 2022, New York has not finished a game shooting at least 50% from the field and 40% from three while going perfect from the charity stripe since 2010.
New York's defense held Las Vegas to 17 second-half points--nine in the third and eight in the fourth--zero second-chance points, and just two offensive rebounds, while New York pulled down 11 offensive rebounds that resulted in 20 second-chance points.
The Liberty sold out today's game with 11, 418 fans - the team's largest crowd since moving to Barclays Center.
Up Next: The New York Liberty will host the Chicago Sky on Friday, August 11 at 8 p.m. ET.
KEY RUNS
Q1: New York went on a 12-2 run from the 8:27 mark of the first to the 5:40 mark of the opening quarter. Las Vegas responded with an 8-0 run from the 4:35 mark of the first to the 3:17 mark of the quarter; however, New York answered with an 11-0 run from the 0:02 mark of the first to the 7:22 mark of the second quarter.
Q2: New York went on a 14-6 run from the 3:45 mark of the second to the 0:59 mark of the first half, ultimately taking a 49-44 advantage into halftime.
Q3: New York went on a 35-9 run from the 7:49 mark of the third to the 7:19 mark of the fourth quarter.
Q4: New York went on an 8-0 run from the 6:10 mark of the fourth to the 5:22 mark of the final quarter.
PLAYER NOTABLES
New York finished with five double-digit scorers in today's game (Ionescu, Stewart, Laney, Jones, Vandersloot).
Highlighted by season-high-tying 23 first-half points including a career-high-tying five threes, Sabrina Ionescu finished with a game-high 31 points on 63.2% (12-19) shooting from the field, including 60% (6-10) from deep, seven assists, and five rebounds.
Today's 31-point performance marks her fifth 30-point game of the season, tying the Liberty all-time single-season record for the second time in her career (2022).
Breanna Stewart finished with 22 points on 40% (8-20) shooting from the floor, including 44.4% (4-9) from three, six rebounds, five assists, three steals, and three blocks.
Betnijah Laney totaled 13 points on 50% (5-10) shooting from the field, including 50% (3-6) from three, a season-high nine rebounds, and three assists.
Jonquel Jones finished with 12 points on 41.7% (5-12) shooting from the floor, 14 rebounds, and a season-high four assists, notching her ninth double-double of the season and seventh in the Liberty's last nine games. She has now posted 10-plus rebounds in eight of her last nine appearances.
Courtney Vandersloot added 10 points on 80% (4-5) shooting from the floor, including 66.7% (2-3) from three, six assists, and four rebounds. In the first half, she went a perfect four-for-four from the field and knocked down two threes.
With her sixth assist at the 8:50 mark of the fourth, Vandersloot tied Ticha Penicheiro for second all-time in WNBA history in career assists (2,600).
For Las Vegas, Jackie Young finished with a team-high 16 points, while Chelsea Gray added 15 points and a team-high six assists.
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