Stewart and Ionescu lead New York Liberty to 87-77 Game 1 win over the Las Vegas Aces in semifinals
NEW YORK (AP) Breanna Stewart knows she wasn't at her best last year in the Finals when the Las Vegas Aces knocked off the New York Liberty.
She made sure she that wouldn't happen in Game 1 of their semifinals series this year, scoring 34 points to help the Liberty beat the Aces 87-77 on Sunday.
“I think I’ve just kind of grown from it, had a lot of time to reflect on it,” said Stewart, who was dealing with the death of her father-in-law from cancer right before last year's series. “How I can be better. How to handle things collectively better. I don’t forget who I am and what I can do. ... That wasn’t my most proudest, but I'll continue to be better now.”
Game 2 of the best-of-5 matchup is Tuesday night in New York.
“Do or die, you have to win Game 2,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said. “No other way around it.”
The two-time defending champions have only trailed once in a series the last two years. That was against Seattle when they also were down 1-0. The difference was that they were at home for the first two of those games.
“We had to beat them three games in a row. We had our backs against the wall before,” Hammon said.
Kelsey Plum scored 24 points and A'ja Wilson added 21 for the Aces.
“It's a loss, that’s the only thing i see,” Plum said when asked about her scoring. “A lot of things I can do better individually and help my teammates collectively.”
This was a rematch of last season's WNBA Finals that the Aces won in four games, including clinching the championship in New York. The Liberty said they've had a scar from that loss and have used it as motivation all season long. New York had the best record in the league and earned the top seed in the playoffs.
Last season the Aces were the No. 1 seed, so New York had to go there for the opening two games of the Finals. The Liberty returned home down 0-2 and never could recover.
New York came out strong behind Stewart and led 28-21 after one quarter. Las Vegas closed to 37-34 with 4:11 left in the half before New York ended the second quarter with a 11-4 run to go up 10 at the break.
Stewart, who had 20 points in the opening 20 minutes, had six points in that spurt. She hit eight of her 10 shots in the first half.
“I think I wanted to come out and set the tone, be aggressive and take what the defense was giving me,” Stewart said.
The Liberty scored the first five points of the third quarter and the lead ballooned to 62-44 on a 3-pointer by Stewart. After a timeout, the Aces scored the next 12 points to get within six. Courtney Vandersloot finally ended the drought for New York with a layup that sparked a run to restore a nine-point advantage at the end of the third.
Las Vegas hung around and only trailed 75-67 until Sabrina Ionescu hit a 3-pointer with 7:34 left in the game and quickly turned to point to Spike Lee, who was sitting courtside wearing her jersey.
In Game 2 of the opening round series win over Atlanta, the basketball superfan gave the Liberty guard a high-five that she said felt like "New York was injected into my veins."
Ninety seconds later, she hit another 3 that whipped the sellout crowd into a frenzy.
Las Vegas couldn't get closer than eight the rest of the way.
Ionescu finished with 21 points and Jonquel Jones had 13 points and 12 rebounds for the Liberty.
“We came out, it’s Game 1, we wanted to play with a sense of urgency and protect our home court,” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said.
This is the first time in the history of the league that the finals participants from the season before met in the semifinals. The league changed its playoff format in 2016 which allowed that to happen with the top eight teams making the postseason regardless of conference affiliation. Minnesota faced Los Angeles in the 2018 first round after the two teams had played in the WNBA Finals the previous two years.
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Time | Team | Play | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
10:00 | Start of the 1st Quarter | |||
10:00 | Jump Ball: A'ja Wilson vs. Jonquel Jones. | |||
9:35 | A'ja Wilson misses a 3-point jump shot from 26 feet out. | |||
9:35 | Betnijah Laney-Hamilton with a defensive rebound. | |||
9:13 | Betnijah Laney-Hamilton misses a jump shot from 15 feet out. | |||
9:13 | Kiah Stokes with a defensive rebound. | |||
9:39 | Betnijah Laney-Hamilton with a defensive rebound. | |||
8:51 | Betnijah Laney-Hamilton with a defensive rebound. | |||
9:16 | Kiah Stokes with a defensive rebound. | |||
9:13 | Kiah Stokes with a defensive rebound. | |||
8:54 | Betnijah Laney-Hamilton with a defensive rebound. | |||
8:43 | +3 | Jonquel Jones makes a 3-point jump shot from 26 feet out. Leonie Fiebich with the assist. | 0-3 | |
8:23 | +3 | Kelsey Plum makes a 3-point jump shot from 27 feet out. | 3-3 | |
8:10 | +2 | Breanna Stewart makes a layup. Sabrina Ionescu with the assist. | 3-5 | |
7:51 | Betnijah Laney-Hamilton steals the ball from Kiah Stokes. | |||
7:47 | +2 | Breanna Stewart makes a layup. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton with the assist. | 3-7 | |
7:30 | +2 | A'ja Wilson makes a jump shot from 13 feet out. Jackie Young with the assist. | 5-7 | |
7:12 | +2 | Jonquel Jones makes a layup. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton with the assist. | 5-9 | |
7:01 | +2 | Chelsea Gray makes a jump shot from 18 feet out. A'ja Wilson with the assist. | 7-9 | |
6:35 | +3 | Sabrina Ionescu makes a 3-point jump shot from 28 feet out. Breanna Stewart with the assist. | 7-12 | |
6:17 | Kiah Stokes misses a 3-point jump shot from 24 feet out. | |||
5:36 | +2 | Jackie Young makes a layup. | 9-12 | |
6:14 | Kiah Stokes misses a 3-point jump shot from 24 feet out. | |||
6:00 | Betnijah Laney-Hamilton misses a jump shot from 23 feet out. | |||
5:20 | Betnijah Laney-Hamilton steals the ball from A'ja Wilson. | |||
5:56 | Betnijah Laney-Hamilton misses a jump shot from 23 feet out. | |||
5:56 | Aces with a defensive rebound. | |||
5:39 | +2 | Jackie Young makes a layup. | 9-12 | |
4:16 | Chelsea Gray misses a 3-point jump shot from 27 feet out. | |||
5:32 | A'ja Wilson with a defensive rebound. | |||
5:13 | Betnijah Laney-Hamilton steals the ball from A'ja Wilson. | |||
5:20 | Betnijah Laney-Hamilton steals the ball from A'ja Wilson. | |||
4:56 | +2 | Chelsea Gray makes a jump shot from 17 feet out. | 11-14 | |
4:34 | +3 | Leonie Fiebich makes a 3-point jump shot from 24 feet out. Jonquel Jones with the assist. | 11-17 | |
4:19 | Chelsea Gray misses a 3-point jump shot from 27 feet out. | |||
3:44 | A'ja Wilson misses a jump shot from 13 feet out. | |||
4:16 | Chelsea Gray misses a 3-point jump shot from 27 feet out. | |||
4:16 | Betnijah Laney-Hamilton with a defensive rebound. | |||
3:02 | Chelsea Gray misses a jump shot from 16 feet out. | |||
3:02 | Aces with an offensive rebound. | |||
3:02 | Aces with a turnover: Shot Clock Turnover | |||
2:47 | Jonquel Jones misses a layup. | |||
2:47 | Tiffany Hayes with a defensive rebound. | |||
2:42 | Jackie Young misses a jump shot from 14 feet out. | |||
2:42 | Breanna Stewart with a defensive rebound. | |||
2:33 | +3 | Breanna Stewart makes a 3-point jump shot from 27 feet out. Leonie Fiebich with the assist. | 11-22 | |
2:19 | Breanna Stewart steals the ball from Chelsea Gray. | |||
2:06 | Breanna Stewart misses a 3-point jump shot from 26 feet out. | |||
2:06 | Jackie Young with a defensive rebound. | |||
1:57 | Shooting foul committed by Courtney Vandersloot. | |||
1:57 | +1 | Alysha Clark makes free throw 1 of 2. | 12-22 | |
1:57 | Substitution: Kayla Thornton in for Jonquel Jones. | |||
1:57 | Substitution: Nyara Sabally in for Leonie Fiebich. | |||
1:57 | Substitution: Sydney Colson in for Chelsea Gray. | |||
1:57 | +1 | Alysha Clark makes free throw 2 of 2. | 13-22 | |
1:45 | +2 | Breanna Stewart makes a layup. | 13-24 | |
1:37 | +3 | Alysha Clark makes a 3-point jump shot from 26 feet out. Sydney Colson with the assist. | 16-24 | |
1:28 | Sabrina Ionescu with a turnover - Bad Pass | |||
1:12 | Jackie Young misses a layup. | |||
1:12 | Nyara Sabally with a defensive rebound. | |||
1:03 | Substitution: Kelsey Plum in for Jackie Young. | |||
59.2 | Offensive foul committed by Nyara Sabally. | |||
59.2 | Nyara Sabally with a turnover | |||
46.2 | +3 | Kelsey Plum makes a 3-point jump shot from 26 feet out. Sydney Colson with the assist. | 19-24 | |
30.6 | +2 | Breanna Stewart makes a jump shot from 14 feet out. Courtney Vandersloot with the assist. | 19-26 | |
20.5 | +2 | A'ja Wilson makes a layup. Kelsey Plum with the assist. | 21-26 | |
02.9 | Shooting foul committed by Sydney Colson. | |||
02.9 | +1 | Kayla Thornton makes free throw 1 of 2. | 21-27 | |
02.9 | +1 | Kayla Thornton makes free throw 2 of 2. | 21-28 | |
0.0 | Sydney Colson misses a 3-point jump shot from 56 feet out. | |||
0.0 | Aces with an offensive rebound. | |||
0.0 | End of the 1st Quarter | |||
3:27 | +2 | Sabrina Ionescu makes a layup. Breanna Stewart with the assist. | 11-19 | |
3:02 | Aces with an offensive rebound. | |||
2:49 | Jonquel Jones misses a layup. | |||
2:49 | Tiffany Hayes with a defensive rebound. | |||
2:44 | Jackie Young misses a jump shot from 14 feet out. | |||
2:44 | Breanna Stewart with a defensive rebound. | |||
2:36 | +3 | Breanna Stewart makes a 3-point jump shot from 27 feet out. Leonie Fiebich with the assist. | 11-22 | |
2:20 | Breanna Stewart steals the ball from Chelsea Gray. | |||
2:07 | Breanna Stewart misses a 3-point jump shot from 26 feet out. | |||
2:06 | Breanna Stewart misses a 3-point jump shot from 26 feet out. | |||
2:06 | Jackie Young with a defensive rebound. | |||
1:12 | Jackie Young misses a layup. |
Time | Team | Play | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
10:00 | Start of the 2nd Quarter | |||
9:54 | Sydney Colson steals the ball from Betnijah Laney-Hamilton. | |||
9:50 | +2 | A'ja Wilson makes a layup. Sydney Colson with the assist. | 23-28 | |
9:31 | Shooting foul committed by A'ja Wilson. | |||
9:31 | +1 | Nyara Sabally makes free throw 1 of 2. | 23-29 | |
9:31 | +1 | Nyara Sabally makes free throw 2 of 2. | 23-30 | |
9:06 | Nyara Sabally steals the ball from Sydney Colson. | |||
8:53 | Kayla Thornton misses a 3-point jump shot from 26 feet out. | |||
8:53 | Tiffany Hayes with a defensive rebound. | |||
8:42 | Kelsey Plum misses a 3-point jump shot from 27 feet out. | |||
8:42 | Nyara Sabally with a defensive rebound. | |||
8:26 | Breanna Stewart misses a jump shot from 14 feet out. | |||
8:26 | Alysha Clark with a defensive rebound. | |||
8:15 | Personal foul committed by Nyara Sabally. | |||
8:15 | Substitution: Leonie Fiebich in for Breanna Stewart. | |||
8:15 | Substitution: Sabrina Ionescu in for Kayla Thornton. | |||
8:15 | Substitution: Jonquel Jones in for Courtney Vandersloot. | |||
8:09 | A'ja Wilson misses a jump shot from 14 feet out. | |||
8:09 | Jonquel Jones with a defensive rebound. | |||
8:00 | Offensive foul committed by Jonquel Jones. | |||
8:00 | Jonquel Jones with a turnover | |||
7:46 | Alysha Clark misses a layup. | |||
7:46 | Jonquel Jones with a defensive rebound. | |||
7:34 | Shooting foul committed by Alysha Clark. | |||
7:34 | +1 | Jonquel Jones makes free throw 1 of 2. | 23-31 | |
7:34 | Substitution: Jackie Young in for Sydney Colson. | |||
7:34 | Substitution: Kiah Stokes in for A'ja Wilson. | |||
7:34 | +1 | Jonquel Jones makes free throw 2 of 2. | 23-32 | |
7:16 | +2 | Kelsey Plum makes a layup. | 25-32 | |
6:56 | Substitution: Breanna Stewart in for Nyara Sabally. | |||
6:56 | Jump Ball: Jackie Young vs. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton. | |||
6:56 | Leonie Fiebich with a turnover - Bad Pass | |||
6:30 | Alysha Clark misses a layup. | |||
6:30 | Aces with an offensive rebound. | |||
6:30 | Substitution: Chelsea Gray in for Tiffany Hayes. | |||
6:29 | Personal foul committed by Leonie Fiebich. | |||
6:21 | +3 | Jackie Young makes a 3-point jump shot from 27 feet out. Kelsey Plum with the assist. | 28-32 | |
6:05 | Jackie Young steals the ball from Sabrina Ionescu. | |||
5:56 | Alysha Clark misses a layup. | |||
5:56 | Breanna Stewart with a defensive rebound. | |||
5:49 | Jonquel Jones misses a 3-point jump shot from 27 feet out. | |||
5:49 | Chelsea Gray with a defensive rebound. | |||
5:38 | +2 | Alysha Clark makes a layup. Kelsey Plum with the assist. | 30-32 | |
5:38 | Liberty take a full timeout. | |||
5:38 | Substitution: A'ja Wilson in for Kiah Stokes. | |||
5:23 | +2 | Breanna Stewart makes a layup. | 30-34 | |
5:23 | Shooting foul committed by Alysha Clark. | |||
5:23 | +1 | Breanna Stewart makes free throw 1 of 1. | 30-35 | |
5:05 | +2 | Jackie Young makes a layup. A'ja Wilson with the assist. | 32-35 | |
5:05 | Shooting foul committed by Betnijah Laney-Hamilton. | |||
5:05 | +1 | Jackie Young makes free throw 1 of 1. | 33-35 | |
4:43 | Betnijah Laney-Hamilton misses a layup. | |||
4:43 | Jonquel Jones with an offensive rebound. | |||
4:40 | +2 | Jonquel Jones makes a layup. | 33-37 | |
4:14 | Shooting foul committed by Sabrina Ionescu. | |||
4:14 | Substitution: Kiah Stokes in for Alysha Clark. | |||
4:14 | Kelsey Plum misses free throw 1 of 2. | |||
4:14 | Aces with an offensive rebound. | |||
4:14 | +1 | Kelsey Plum makes free throw 2 of 2. | 34-37 | |
3:54 | +2 | Breanna Stewart makes a jump shot from 12 feet out. Sabrina Ionescu with the assist. | 34-39 | |
3:31 | Jackie Young misses a jump shot from 13 feet out. | |||
3:31 | Jonquel Jones with a defensive rebound. | |||
3:20 | +2 | Sabrina Ionescu makes a layup. | 34-41 | |
3:05 | Sabrina Ionescu steals the ball from A'ja Wilson. | |||
2:57 | Personal foul committed by Kiah Stokes. | |||
2:57 | Aces take a full timeout. | |||
2:57 | Substitution: Courtney Vandersloot in for Betnijah Laney-Hamilton. | |||
2:42 | +2 | Jonquel Jones makes a layup. Courtney Vandersloot with the assist. | 34-43 | |
2:19 | Courtney Vandersloot steals the ball from Kelsey Plum. | |||
2:19 | Personal foul committed by Kelsey Plum. | |||
2:19 | +1 | Courtney Vandersloot makes free throw 1 of 2. | 34-44 | |
2:19 | Substitution: Tiffany Hayes in for Kiah Stokes. | |||
2:19 | Courtney Vandersloot misses free throw 2 of 2. | |||
2:19 | A'ja Wilson with a defensive rebound. | |||
1:57 | Chelsea Gray misses a 3-point jump shot from 27 feet out. | |||
1:57 | Sabrina Ionescu with a defensive rebound. | |||
1:43 | A'ja Wilson blocks a Jonquel Jones layup. | |||
1:43 | Liberty with an offensive rebound. | |||
1:40 | Shooting foul committed by Jackie Young. | |||
1:40 | +1 | Breanna Stewart makes free throw 1 of 2. | 34-45 | |
1:40 | +1 | Breanna Stewart makes free throw 2 of 2. | 34-46 | |
1:24 | Tiffany Hayes misses a 3-point jump shot from 23 feet out. | |||
1:24 | Chelsea Gray with an offensive rebound. | |||
1:13 | Kelsey Plum misses a 3-point jump shot from 27 feet out. | |||
1:13 | Jonquel Jones with a defensive rebound. | |||