Stewart Leads Liberty Over Vegas
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Shara Talia Taylor
It was a thrilling home opener for the New York Liberty, the 2024 WNBA Champions, as they won 92-78 against the Las Vegas Aces Saturday.
The Liberty received their championship rings and sent their victory banner to the rafters in a ceremony before the game. The excitement carried over to tipoff as the teams fought, but New York had to increase their defense and keep up the energy as Las Vegas pushed back after halftime. “We didn’t come with urgency out of the locker room,” said Liberty Head Coach Sandy Brondello about the second half of the game. “We got it back by getting back to how we want to play at both ends of the floor.”
Coach Brondello said they were persistent. The starting lineup changed this season. One addition was the addition of guard Natasha Cloud. “I just come in with light and love every single day,” she said about creating chemistry with her new teammates.
The connection was apparent as she led the team with nine assists. She finished with 22 points. Breanna Stewart led New York with 25 points. Jonquel Jones led the team with 10 rebounds. She added 17 points.
New York was ahead for most of the first quarter, but Las Vegas had outscored them 20-19. The Liberty picked up their pace and were ahead 47-33 by halftime. The Aces started to make a comeback in the third quarter.
“Ultimately, we want to win the game so we just have to go out there and do whatever we can and we knew we had to come out and get some stops,” said Aces guard Jackie Young said about what inspired them at half time. “We cut the lead, but we just weren’t able to pull it off.”
Young had 16 points and five assists. New York led 63-58 at the end of the third quarter and had to increase their defense as the Aces intensified their play in the fourth quarter chipping away at the score. A’ja Wilson brought the team within two points of tying the score. She was fouled by Cloud as she made a 2-point shot, fell and slapped the floor as she got up to go to the line, where she made a free throw.
“I got the and one girl, I was happy,” Wilson said afterwards. “My hands were actually stinging. I’m so grateful for the game and there is never any frustration. If anything, it’s to myself.” She had a game-high 31 points. The Aces trailed 66-64 with less than seven minutes remaining in the game.
Cloud scored the next 6 points, which created a gap for the Liberty to finish the game.
“We were able to close that chapter of last season and open a new one,” Stewart said about the moment of receiving their championship rings and winning the game in front of fans.
The New York Liberty next go to Chicago to face the Sky and then travel to Indiana to take on the Fever, before returning home May 27 for a match against the Golden State Valkyries.
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