In a show-stopping performance on Sunday, the New York Liberty sent shockwaves through the basketball world, evicting the reigning champs, the Las Vegas Aces, from their throne and marching triumphantly into the WNBA Finals. The final score? 76-62. The Liberty didn’t just punch their Finals ticket—they boarded a first-class flight, slapped a “Defending Champs” sticker on their baggage, and made sure the Aces were left searching for a flight home.
After getting torched by the Aces in last season’s championship, the Liberty came back with a vengeance. They had just one thing on their mind this year: Redemption. And oh boy, did they get it. Their mission? Clear as day—turn Sin City into the Sad City for Aces fans.
The Liberty Show Their Winning Hand
From the jump, this game wasn’t just a rematch—it was a grudge match. The Liberty brought the heat, the intensity, and maybe even a little New York attitude. Sabrina Ionescu, who seemed like she had been saving her best moves for this very moment, led the charge with 22 points, drilling five three-pointers like she was getting paid by the bucket. After a quiet Game 3 where she scored just four points, critics were starting to raise their eyebrows. But Sabrina put those doubts to bed quicker than a toddler after a candy binge, lighting up the Aces with her sweet shooting and clutch leadership.
But it wasn’t just the Sabrina show. Breanna Stewart, the Queen of Consistency, put up 19 points and snatched 14 boards like they were candy from a baby. If the Liberty were a musical act, Stewart was laying down the bassline, keeping the team’s rhythm steady while Ionescu dropped verses from deep.
Foul Trouble? No Problem!
Now, it wouldn’t be a true Liberty playoff game without a little drama. Jonquel Jones and Leonie Fiebich were both in foul trouble with four each heading into the fourth quarter, and Courtney Vandersloot had three. With so many players one whistle away from sitting out, you’d think the Liberty would crumble like a poorly built sandcastle, right? Wrong. Instead, they buckled down, played cleaner than a germaphobe at a hand sanitizer convention, and committed zero turnovers in the entire fourth quarter.
Let that sink in. Zero. None. Zip. Nada. While the Aces were busy misfiring and fumbling, the Liberty were running a masterclass in ball security, starting the final quarter with a pristine 7-0 run that had Vegas fans groaning louder than someone who lost it all at the slot machines.
Aces’ House of Cards Collapses
Las Vegas might have been the defending champions, but on Sunday, they looked more like defending amateurs. A’ja Wilson, usually as unstoppable as a freight train, put up 19 points and 10 rebounds—good numbers, sure. But even she couldn’t find a way to slice through New York’s suffocating defense. The Aces, who had set a league record with 12 consecutive playoff wins, suddenly looked as out of sync as a broken metronome. They shot a dismal 32% from the field, and by the time the final buzzer rang, the only thing left for Aces fans to do was to politely tip their caps to a Liberty team that had out-hustled, outplayed, and outclassed them.
Revenge is a Dish Best Served… with a Side of Finals Berth
This win was more than just a ticket to the Finals—it was a statement. The Liberty weren’t satisfied with simply beating the champs; they wanted to make sure everyone knew that they belonged on this stage. The Aces had the star power, the accolades, and the swagger. But on Sunday, they were outshone by a team that’s hungry, relentless, and—let’s face it—probably a little annoyed they didn’t get this done last year.
A New Champion Will Rise
With the Aces dethroned, the stage is set for a new WNBA champion in 2024. And the Liberty? They’ve got their sights set squarely on making history. With Ionescu firing on all cylinders, Stewart crashing the boards like a bull in a china shop, and a defense that’s tighter than a New Yorker’s parallel parking job, New York is in prime position to capture that elusive first-ever title.
So buckle up, WNBA fans—the Liberty are heading to the Finals. Whether it’s for redemption or revolution, one thing’s for sure: this team is coming in hot, and they’re not planning on cooling down anytime soon. Watch out, WNBA—there’s a new empire rising, and it’s got a New York zip code.
