Posted on: October 16, 2023, 08:48h.
Last updated on: October 16, 2023, 08:48h.
Forward Jonquel Jones led the New York Liberty to a crucial 87-73 victory over the Las Vegas Aces in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals. The Liberty, facing a 2-0 deficit against the defending champions, managed to avoid a series sweep and keep their championship hopes alive.
The 2023 WNBA Finals is a clash between two superteams, with the Aces aiming to secure consecutive championships, while the Liberty, the league’s original franchise without a title, seek their first championship. The Liberty previously reached the WNBA Finals four times between 1997 and 2002 but fell short of winning the coveted championship.
In the first two games of the WNBA Finals, played in Las Vegas, the Aces emerged victorious on their home court where they remained undefeated in the postseason. They won Game 1 by 17 points and followed it up with a dominant 28-point victory in Game 2.
However, the series shifted to Brooklyn as the Liberty hosted the Aces at Barclays Center. Game 3 witnessed a record-breaking attendance of 17,143, showcasing the fervent support of Liberty fans. This energy propelled the Liberty to a much-needed win, preventing a series sweep.
With their Game 3 triumph, the Liberty now trail the Aces 2-1 in the series. They will have the opportunity to even things up as they host Game 4 in Brooklyn on Wednesday. The Aces, on the other hand, require just one more victory to secure the championship.
Jones Leads Liberty to Victory in Must-Win Game 3
The Liberty delivered a stellar performance on their home floor in Brooklyn, shooting 52.4% from the field, including an impressive 43% from beyond the arc. Their defense also stepped up, limiting the Aces to a mere 33.3% shooting, with an even lower 31.8% from the three-point line.
“We had a fight, we got back to our identity,” said Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello. “We’re a way better team than what we’ve shown the last two games. I’m just proud of the effort and the commitment and the connection that we had, but now we’ve got to do it again.”
Jonquel Jones led the charge for the Liberty with 27 points on an efficient 10-for-15 shooting. In addition to her scoring, she contributed eight rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and two steals in this critical victory.
“That’s the level I’m gonna have to play, and keep it at,” Jones told The Athletic. “I felt great out there tonight.”
Head coach Brondello also praised Jones, stating, “JJ’s a superstar. She’s amazing. She’s very humble. We wouldn’t be here without JJ.”
Forward Breanna Stewart bounced back from her Game 2 struggles, posting a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Liberty. Sabrina Ionescu, the Liberty’s shooting guard, also had a notable performance, knocking down three three-pointers while dishing out a game-high 11 assists.
The Liberty displayed unselfish play, accumulating 28 assists in Game 3. In contrast, the Aces managed just 13 total assists, with only two more than Ionescu individually.
Aces Struggle; Gray Injured in Defeat
The Aces encountered their first loss of the postseason in Game 3, struggling to find their rhythm. They found themselves trailing 43-40 at halftime and failed to mount a comeback after a disastrous third quarter. The Liberty held them to a mere 10 points in the third frame, giving them an 11-point advantage heading into the final quarter.
“They played harder,” commented Aces head coach Becky Hammon. “I felt like we were on our heels from the jump.”
The Aces, known for their strong perimeter defense, experienced a cooling off in Game 3. While they previously shut down the Liberty’s outside shooting, the roles were reversed as the Liberty’s defense stifled their opponents.
The Liberty focused on containing A’ja Wilson, doubling her whenever possible. Wilson struggled from the field, shooting just 4-for-16 and contributing 16 points.
Point guard Kelsey Plum led the Aces with a game-high 29 points, connecting on five three-pointers. However, guard Jackie Young, who had an outstanding performance in Game 1, struggled in Game 3, scoring only eight points and shooting 2-for-9 from the field.
Chelsea Gray, last year’s WNBA Finals MVP, also faced difficulties, scoring just 11 points before exiting the game due to a foot injury. Gray’s availability for Game 4 remains uncertain. The Aces were already without forward Candace Parker, who suffered a fractured foot earlier in the postseason.
The Liberty outpaced the Aces in transition, outscoring them 12-2 in fast break points.
Previewing Liberty vs. Aces Game 4 Betting
For Game 4, the Liberty enter as -2.5 favorites. The projected points total is set at 170 over/under.
Having yet to secure a victory in New York this season, the Aces are looking to overcome the odds. In the regular season, they went 0-2 against the Liberty, and their losing streak extended to 0-3 after their loss in Game 3.
Despite the setback in Game 3, the Aces remain the favorites to win the WNBA championship at -500 odds. They are just one victory away from clinching back-to-back titles. The last team to accomplish this feat was the Los Angeles Sparks, over two decades ago.
The Liberty, facing long odds, are listed at +350 to complete a historic comeback and win the championship. To achieve this, they would need to secure three consecutive victories. No team has ever rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the WNBA Finals or any postseason series to claim the title.
If the Liberty manage to win Game 4 and force a Game 5, the decisive matchup will be held in Las Vegas the following Sunday.