The New York Liberty returned to the WNBA final on Sunday thanks to a convincing success, at home, 87-73, against the Las Vegas Aces, after a top defensive performance. Returning home after having suffered two corrections in the world capital of the game (-17 and -28), the Liberty had its back against the wall, threatened with seeing the trophy slip away in the event of another defeat, in this best-of-five series. .
He was able to count on his duo of leaders Courtney Vandersloot (12 points) and Sabrina Ionescu (11 assists), who were absent in Vegas. They instilled the offensive rhythm which had been so lacking in New York during the first two meetings.
Ionescu signed some classy actions, like this bright pass for Brianna Stewart, under the basket, or an armed three-point basket eight meters from the circle. In attack, the New York team also relied heavily on the locomotive Jonquel Jones, author of 27 points on 10 out of 15 shots. The 2021 MVP played to her power inside, going to the basket or crowding the Aces defense to create space. She also showed her ability to get out of the way (4 three-point baskets). Jones weighed in at both ends of the field, hampering Vegas star A’Ja Wilson (4/15 on shots).
After conceding more than 100 points on average in the first two matches, New York contained the Aces’ attack well (only 33% success), notably preventing penetrations and disrupting Vegas’ passing game. The will-o’-the-wisp Kelsey Plum did her best to keep the visitors’ offensive spark alive (29 pts), but was better held in the second half.
The two teams meet again on Wednesday for the fourth game in Brooklyn. “We will have to play with the same intensity” in the fourth game, warned Jonquel Jones after the Liberty victory.
