Liberty handle Aces for sixth straight win to take home WNBA Commissioner’s Cup

LAS VEGAS — Marine Johannes scored 17 factors with 5 3-pointers, Jonquel Jones had 16 factors and 15 rebounds, and the New York Liberty beat the Las Vegas Aces 82-63 on Tuesday night time to win the third WNBA Commissioner’s Cup championship.

New York handed Las Vegas its first dwelling lack of the season — in 16 video games — after holding the Aces beneath 65 factors for the second time in 9 days.

New York closed the third quarter on a 15-5 run to take a 56-48 lead — capped by back-to-back 3-pointers by Kayla Thornton. Sabrina Ionescu added consecutive 3-pointers early within the fourth quarter to increase it to 66-52.

The Liberty completed 15 of 35 from 3-point vary, whereas the Aces made simply 5 of 26.

New York additionally held A’ja Wilson, the Aces’ main scorer at 21.2 factors per recreation, to simply 9 factors — all within the first half.

Breanna Stewart scored 13 factors, Ionescu added 12 and Courtney Vandersloot had 11 factors and 10 assists for New York.

Jones was named the MVP of the championship recreation after securing her eleventh double-double of the season.

Thornton completed with eight factors to assist the Liberty have a 28-8 edge in bench factors.

Jackie Younger scored 16 factors, and Chelsea Grey and Kelsey Plum every added 15 factors for Las Vegas. The Aces shot simply 33% from the sphere and have been outrebounded 49-28.

The sport obtained off to a sluggish begin as every group missed its first seven subject objectives till Stewart put New York forward 3-2 with 6:12 remaining within the first quarter. Las Vegas made simply one in all its first 16 subject objectives, together with 0 of 8 from distance.

New York led 32-23 with 3:57 left earlier than halftime however didn’t rating once more as Las Vegas scored the ultimate 11 factors for a 34-32 lead on the break.

Grey tied it at 32-all with 41.1 seconds left after changing a three-point play and Younger added a fast-break layup.

Grey had 11 factors on the break.

The Aces shot simply 30% from the sphere within the first half, together with 2 of 15 from 3-point vary.

The in-season event noticed New York and Las Vegas end as the highest groups within the Japanese and Western Conferences.

Every member of the Liberty will obtain round $30,000. Gamers on the Aces every get about $10,000.

The Aces (27-3) and Liberty (24-6) are also 1-2 within the WNBA regular-season standings and have secured playoff spots.

The 2 groups play one another in a regular-season recreation on Thursday.

New York has received six straight regular-season video games.

The primary-place Aces received each the Commissioner’s Cup and the WNBA title final season.