NEW YORK — Sabrina Ionescu scored seven of her 14 factors within the fourth quarter to assist the New York Liberty maintain off the short-handed Las Vegas Aces 75-71 on Sunday.
The Aces had been taking part in with out A’ja Wilson, who was sidelined with a proper ankle damage she suffered on Friday in opposition to Connecticut. Wilson was in a strolling boot. It was the primary recreation she had missed since Aug. 3, 2019.
The Liberty remained three video games in entrance of Minnesota for the No. 1 seed within the WNBA playoffs. New York has 5 video games left to play. With the loss, Las Vegas remained within the fourth spot, one recreation in entrance of Seattle.
Breanna Stewart scored 21 factors and had a giant block late to steer New York (29-6). This wasn’t a straightforward win for the Liberty, who blew a 20-point late third quarter lead.
Las Vegas went on an 18-1 run to get inside 64-61. The Liberty went and not using a level from the 1:39 mark of the third quarter till Ionescu hit a layup with 4:53 left within the fourth. The Aces saved coming and tied the sport at 68 on Kelsey Plum’s 3-pointer with 2:36 left. Ionescu answered with a nook jumper. Sydney Colson’s 3-pointer with 1:54 left gave the Aces their first lead because the first quarter.
Neither crew scored till Ionescu hit a pull-up jumper with 43.6 seconds left that gave New York a 72-71 lead. Plum, who completed with 25 factors, had an opportunity to present the Aces the lead again, however her layup fell off the rim with 28 seconds left.
Ionescu was then fouled and hit certainly one of two free throws to make it 73-71.
Las Vegas had one final probability however Stewart blocked Jackie Younger’s drive down the lane. Jonquel Jones sealed the win with two free throws with 2.5 seconds left.
This was the primary assembly in New York between the groups since Las Vegas gained the WNBA championship final 12 months at Barclays Heart. The Liberty gained the primary two conferences between the groups in Las Vegas earlier this 12 months.
With out their star, the Aces (22-13) turned to extra of a fringe recreation, hitting six of their first seven 3-point makes an attempt to take a 22-14 lead on New York early within the first quarter.
Then the Liberty took over, happening a 31-11 run the remainder of the half to take a 12-point lead on the break. Stewart had 14 factors and 7 rebounds within the first half for New York.
The lead ballooned to 63-43 late within the third quarter as Aces coach Becky Hammon emptied her bench and Las Vegas began its rally.
The finals rematch introduced out the celebs as Devin Booker, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Daybreak Staley, Jordan Chiles and Paige Bueckers had been all in attendance.