WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (2024)

The two best teams from the regular season met in Las Vegas as the Aces attempt to go back-to-back.

WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (1)WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (2)

Tashan Reed, Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman

WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (3)

(Photo: Ethan Miller / Getty Images)

WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (4)WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (5)

Ben Pickman

WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (8)WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (9)

Aces claim Game 1 over Liberty

Game 1 of the 2023 WNBA Finals went to the Aces, who took it with a 17-point win. Las Vegas' offense was efficient in the second half and scored 53 points, while its defense keyed in on Jonquel Jones, who scored just four second-half points, and New York's backcourt, allowing just 33 points. Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum both score a game-high 26 points for the Aces, which was a playoff career-high for Young. Chelsea Gray and A'ja Wilson added 20 and 19 points, respectively. Stewart led New York with 21 points, but no other player scored more than 16.

Game 2 tips off on Wednesday.

October 8, 2023 at 5:11 PM EDTSabreena Merchant·Staff Writer, Women's Basketball

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A first for Breanna Stewart: a playoff loss

This will be the first finals loss of Breanna Stewart's career. She was 6-0 over two series entering Game 1. Alysha Clark, meanwhile, remains a perfect 7-0 in her WNBA Finals career as the Aces are cruising to a victory in Las Vegas.

The Aces have gotten contributions from all over in this one. Young has 26 points, 4 boards and 3 assists. Plum has 26 points and 5 rebounds. Wilson has 19 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals. Gray has 15 points, 9 dimes and 6 boards. The Liberty essentially let everyone get their game off in this one.

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October 8, 2023 at 5:05 PM EDTSabreena Merchant·Staff Writer, Women's Basketball

WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (16)WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (17)

Wilson's firepower makes Liberty comeback unlikely

A'ja Wilson sat to start the fourth quarter, getting one of her only rests of the night, and the Aces managed to extend the lead by four points without her on the court thanks to active hands in the passing lanes and balanced scoring for the starting backcourt. If New York couldn't make a dent with Las Vegas' best player on the bench, the chances of a comeback in the series opener feel very slim.

Wilson has 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting.

October 8, 2023 at 5:02 PM EDTBen Pickman

WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (20)WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (21)

Liberty can't slow Aces

The Liberty have been unable to get stops for much of the second half, and they trail by 17 with just under six minutes to play in the game. Yes, New York’s offense has struggled in the second, but it’s their defense which has been unable to slow down any action Las Vegas has run. Young has exploded, and Plum and Wilson have been able to generate easy offense around the basket as well. Perhaps New York has a final push left in them, but it hasn’t put together a notable second-half run yet.

October 8, 2023 at 4:48 PM EDTTashan Reed·Staff Writer, Raiders

WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (24)WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (25)

Jackie Young on a roll

Behind 12 third quarter points from Young — who's up to a game-high 24 points — the Aces outscored the Liberty 26-16 in the period to surge ahead 72-65. The Aces have been a dominant third-quarter team all year long, and that's only continued.

October 8, 2023 at 4:35 PM EDTSabreena Merchant·Staff Writer, Women's Basketball

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Aces start third quarter with a 14-4 run

Las Vegas had a net rating of plus-19.3 in third quarters during the regular season this year, easily the best in the league, and the Aces have validated that today, beginning the second half with a 14-4 run. Jackie Young has been the playmaker for Vegas with Chelsea Gray blanketed by Betnijah Laney, but the key for the Aces run has been moving the ball quickly when the double/help comes and getting open looks as a result.

October 8, 2023 at 4:08 PM EDTTashan Reed·Staff Writer, Raiders

WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (32)WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (33)

Liberty lead Aces at halftime

The first half was an offensive showcase with each team having three double digit scorers. Liberty guard Marine Johannes and Aces guard Kelsey Plum are tied for the game-high with 14 points. The Aces have 48.5 / 41.7 / 90 percent shooting splits while the Liberty are at 51.4 / 40 / 83.3. The Liberty have a slim 49-46 lead at the break, but it looks like this one will come down to whichever team steps up on defense.

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October 8, 2023 at 4:04 PM EDTBen Pickman

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'Everybody knows Marine Johannès in French basketball'

Ben Pickman wrote about Marine Johannès in July. She has 14 points at halftime as the Liberty lead the Aces 49-46.

Heading into Marine Johannès’ home debut last July, the New York Liberty guard felt stressed, knowing that a crowd of thousands was coming to see the team play. Johannès had suited up for New York before, in 2019, but Barclays Center was a new environment for her. The WNBA season was also already a month in.

What emerged out of any feelings of anxiety was a magical moment. With less than a minute to play until halftime against the Chicago Sky, a driving Johannès, a step inside the free-throw line, whirled the basketball behind her back to an open Stefanie Dolson, who was stationed at the top of the 3-point arc. Johannès had not been looking at the Liberty center when she let the ball go. Chicago defenders didn’t see the pass coming either, and were in no position to close out. Dolson sank the open triple. The New York bench rejoiced.

Johannès might be the WNBA’s most creative passer, though Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray can make a case for that honor as well. She’s a budding star in America, having already established acclaim abroad. “In terms of women’s basketball, she’s by far the most popular French player ever,” Cabioc’h says. “Everybody knows Marine Johannès in French basketball.”

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October 8, 2023 at 3:52 PM EDTSabreena Merchant·Staff Writer, Women's Basketball

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Aces lock in, tie game 35-35

The Aces had trailed for the entire second quarter until Kelsey Plum's hop-step layup to tie the game at 35. As part of a 7-0 run, the Aces have locked in defensively as they've forced six consecutive Liberty misses and a turnover.

October 8, 2023 at 3:50 PM EDTSabreena Merchant·Staff Writer, Women's Basketball

WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (46)WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (47)

Focus on rebounding

Becky Hammon said if there was one thing she was focused on defensively heading into this series, it was rebounding, after her team was outrebounded by an average of eight in regular-season games against the Liberty. The two teams just went into a timeout on a possession when New York has already collected three offensive rebounds; those are the Liberty's first o-boards of the game, but the Aces have to keep that part of the game in check to avoid falling further behind.

October 8, 2023 at 3:47 PM EDTTashan Reed·Staff Writer, Raiders

WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (50)WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (51)

Aces defense in need of a boost

The Aces are lucky to only be down five with how poorly they're defending right now. The Liberty have 48.1 / 35.7 / 100 shooting splits with Jonquel Jones leading the way with 10 points. The Aces aren't having any problems scoring in their own right, but coach Becky Hammon can't be happy with what she's seeing on the defensive side of the floor thus far.

October 8, 2023 at 3:36 PM EDTBen Pickman

WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (54)WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (55)

Despite long layoff, Aces and Liberty off to quick start

Liberty assistant coach Olaf Lange told The Athletic yesterday that he thought both teams might get off to a slow start considering the long layoff between the semifinals and this year's finals... Well, ... there didn't appear to be a lot of rust between the two teams. The Liberty and Aces scored a combined 47 points in the first quarter, with New York leading 25–22 after one. New York reserve guard Marine Johannès and Aces star guard Jackie Young are the game's leading scorers with eight points in the first quarter. (Johannès had scored just five points combined thus far through the playoffs.) Ten different players recorded a basket in the opening frame.

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October 8, 2023 at 3:30 PM EDTBen Pickman

WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (58)WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (59)

Marine Johannès enters the game

Leading into the start of Game 1, Liberty coach Sandy Brondello admitted that she probably should have played reserve guard Marine Johannès more in New York's semifinal series vs. Connecticut. (Johannès played less than 30 minutes through the entirety of the series and didn't see the floor in Game 4). Johannès entered this game just over halfway into the first quarter, and it took her just over a minute to get on the scoresheet, with a diving layup. On the ensuing possession, Johannès then hit a pull-up three, with Aces coach Becky Hammon calling a timeout after the Liberty guard did

October 8, 2023 at 3:21 PM EDTSabreena Merchant·Staff Writer, Women's Basketball

WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (62)WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (63)

Stars turn out for Game 1

The stars are here on and off the court in Vegas -- Sheryl Swoopes, Tom Brady, Mikal Bridges, and Cam Johnson are among the luminaries in attendance for Game 1 of the Finals. Neither team's shooting seems affected by the long layoff to start. The Aces have hit 4-of-5 from 3-point range to build an early six-point lead, with triples from Jackie Young, Kelsey Plum, and Chelsea Gray.

Tom Brady, who is a newly appointed minority owner of the Aces, also arrived for the game and mingled with fans before tipoff.

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The Athletic

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Birthday finals trivia

Today is Chelsea Gray's birthday. Only three other players have appeared in a WNBA Finals game on their birthday:

Ticha Penicheiro: 2005 Game 3 (SAC)

Devereaux Peters: 2013 Game 2 (MIN)

Sylvia Fowles: 2015 Game 2 (MIN)

All 3 won that game AND the title.

October 8, 2023 at 2:58 PM EDTBen Pickman

WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (70)WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (71)

How did Sandy Brondello spend the hours leading up to Game 1?

The Liberty coach said that she finished "all my work last night," not needing to cram any film or game-planning into the hours directly before tipoff. Instead, she said she tried to sleep in a bit on Sunday, showered and came to the arena. She'll spend some time pregame, then, reviewing end of game situations. "Let the fun begin," Brondello said. "I think we've all been waiting for it for a long time."

October 8, 2023 at 2:56 PM EDTTashan Reed·Staff Writer, Raiders

WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (74)WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (75)

Candace Parker remains sidelined

WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (76)

Tashan Reed / The Athletic

Candace Parker won't play today — and remains doubtful to suit up at all during this series as she continues to recover from a broken foot — but she felt good enough to walk around and sign a few autographs before tipoff. She'll be supporting her teammates from the bench.

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October 8, 2023 at 2:53 PM EDTTashan Reed·Staff Writer, Raiders

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Mark Davis arrives for game

Mark Davis arrived at Michelob ULTRA Arena and took his courtside seat about an hour before tipoff of Game 1 of the 2023 WNBA Finals. The owner of the Las Vegas Aces and Las Vegas Raiders will have a busy next few days as the Aces host Game 1 today, the Raiders host the Packers for Monday Night Football tomorrow and the Aces host Game 2 on Wednesday.

October 8, 2023 at 2:50 PM EDTBen Pickman

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New York Liberty again at ‘epicenter’ of WNBA

WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (85)

Rocky Widner / WNBAE via Getty Images

As the 2023 WNBA regular season wound down and the New York Liberty prepared for the playoffs with championship hopes, several former players started a group text. When the current iteration of the franchise takes the floor for games, the former Liberty stars message each other about the on-court happenings they observe. They muse about physical screens, and evaluate the Liberty’s offensive and defensive execution. They wear Liberty gear and share selfies.

“For the first time in my life since I’ve retired, I’m just a basketball fan,” says Sue Wicks, a Liberty forward from 1997-2002 who is one of seven players in the franchise’s Ring of Honor. “To feel fanhood, is a great sensation for me.”

No longer does Wicks worry about the security of the WNBA or the stability of her former organization, which is one of only two remaining franchises from 1997 in its original city. Now, she can just enjoy New York’s success.

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October 8, 2023 at 2:30 PM EDTSabreena Merchant·Staff Writer, Women's Basketball

WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (90)WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (91)

Breanna Stewart versus A’ja Wilson: A championship rivalry the WNBA deserves

WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (92)

Ethan Miller / Getty Images)

When Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson step on the court Sunday for the start of the WNBA Finals, they’ll represent not only the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces but the fiery rivalry that the league hopes can continue to fan the popularity it’s accrued through nearly three decades.

The superstars’ catalog of accomplishments is too extensive to even detail in full; it reads more like the resume of two retired pros rather than two players in the primes of their career. They have defined the last decade of their sport, starting with their national championships in college, leading into their gold medals for USA Basketball and now as direct competitors in the best league in the world. The Liberty and Aces are merely in the first chapter of their arms race, but the rivalry between these two all-time greats — the faces of the league — has already proved its staying power and its importance to the future of the WNBA.

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WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates (2024)

FAQs

WNBA Finals: Liberty vs Aces live updates? ›

Billboard. Live TV streamers are offering promos and free trials that'll let you watch WNBA games for free without cable at home and on the go.

Where can I watch WNBA games for free? ›

Billboard. Live TV streamers are offering promos and free trials that'll let you watch WNBA games for free without cable at home and on the go.

How much is the New York Liberty worth? ›

According to those who track sports investments, the Liberty are currently worth around $200 million. Wu Tsai's comments about the 10-year timeline were also another indicator that the Tsai's intend to stay owners of their Brooklyn sport properties for the long term.

Who won the WNBA Finals tonight? ›

Las Vegas Aces become first repeat WNBA champs in 21 years, beating New York Liberty 70-69 in Game 4. NEW YORK (AP) A'ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces secured their place as one of the greatest teams in WNBA history.

When did the Liberty move to Brooklyn? ›

All three entities are owned by Alibaba co-founder Joe Tsai and his wife Clara, who acquired the Liberty in 2019 from Madison Square Garden and moved the team to Brooklyn permanently in 2021.

Is the WNBA app free? ›

The WNBA App is the one stop shop for unmatched women's basketball coverage and exclusive access, on and of the court. Want even more? Watch more WNBA games, wherever you are, with WNBA League Pass for $34.99/year.

Who is the highest paid WNBA player? ›

Aces guard Jackie Young leads the way in the annual value of contracts when she signed a two-year, $504,900 contract extension with the team in 2022.

What is Caitlin Clark's salary? ›

The MLS midfielder made a $75,325 base salary in 2023 as the 789th highest paid player.

Who owns the NY Liberty WNBA? ›

ABOUT THE NEW YORK LIBERTY

The Liberty have made five WNBA Finals appearances in its 27-year history and won the 2023 WNBA Commissioner's Cup Championship. Owned by Joe and Clara Tsai, owners of the Brooklyn Nets, the Liberty play its home games at Brooklyn's Barclays Center.

Has the WNBA ever made a profit? ›

If they can continue to grow and borrow, why bother being profitable? The WNBA has never been profitable. 2023 revenues.. NBA $10billion WNBA $60million.

What WNBA team has not won a championship? ›

Three current WNBA teams have yet to win a championship; among them, the New York Liberty has finished as runners-up in five WNBA Finals. The best regular season performance in league history was set in the 1998 season by the Houston Comets, who finished with a 27–3 win–loss record—a winning percentage of 0.900.

Who is the MVP of the WNBA Finals? ›

Las Vegas Aces 1st repeat WNBA champs in 21 years, A'ja Wilson earns Finals MVP. With 2022 Finals MVP Chelsea Gray sidelined due to injury, A'ja Wilson claims the 2023 trophy as Aces go back-to-back.

What is Liberty NY famous for? ›

Liberty can boast of its tanneries, of the old Liberty Normal Institute, established in 1847, its famous Coaching Day Parades, and its hotels of the 1900 era.

Do the Las Vegas Aces make money? ›

Young earns $252,450 a season, meaning she would get a 40% bonus. The other top earners on the Aces, Wilson and Kelsey Plum, each make $200,000 a year. For them the LVCVA's sponsorship pay would amount to half their base salary.

Has NY Liberty ever won a WNBA championship? ›

The Liberty have three conference championships and have played in the WNBA Finals five times, falling to the Houston Comets in 1997, 1999, and 2000, losing to the Los Angeles Sparks in 2002 and losing to the Las Vegas Aces in 2023.

What channels carry WNBA games? ›

How to Watch WNBA Games
  • ESPN – Ch. 206.
  • ESPN2 – Ch. 209.
  • ABC – Find your local network.
  • CBS – Find your local network.
  • NBA TV.
May 3, 2024

How to watch Caitlin Clark today? ›

Watch Caitlin Clark on ESPN+:

ESPN+ offers exclusive live sports, original shows and a vast library of on-demand content, including the entire 30 For 30 series and more. You can stream ESPN+ through the ESPN app on your favorite mobile device and ESPN.com.

Where can I watch Atlanta Dream vs Washington Mystics? ›

Dream vs. Mystics Game Info
  • Game Day: Tuesday, June 11, 2024.
  • Game Time: 7:30 PM ET.
  • TV Channel: Peachtree TV and MNMT.
  • Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)
  • Location: College Park, Georgia.
  • Arena: Gateway Center Arena.
2 days ago

How to watch Fever vs Sun? ›

The Fever at Sun game will air on NBA TV, which, if you don't already have cable, you can stream through DirecTV, Fubo or a League Pass subscription.

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