
The New York Liberty faced one of their toughest challenges of the season as they battled the defending champions, the Las Vegas Aces, in Game 4 of the WNBA Semifinals. The stakes were high, with a victory securing their place in the WNBA Finals. Liberty fans watched eagerly as their team, determined and tenacious, took to the court at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.
In front of a crowd of 10,374 spectators, the Liberty seized the lead early in the first quarter and maintained their advantage throughout. On that memorable Sunday, they clinched a 76-62 victory over the Aces, eliminating the reigning champions with a 3-1 series win. This triumph propels the Liberty to the WNBA Finals for the second consecutive year and marks the sixth time in the franchise's history.
The late Pat Summitt once said, "Offense sells tickets, defense wins games, rebounding wins championships." The Liberty embraced this philosophy wholeheartedly, setting a franchise postseason record with 48 rebounds against the Aces. This exceptional effort on the boards will be crucial as they pursue their first championship.
Breanna Stewart was a standout performer, recording 19 points and 14 rebounds for her 13th career playoff double-double. Her emotional response to the victory was palpable, as she dedicated the win to her late father-in-law. "It's a tough time," Stewart shared, "my father-in-law passed a year ago today. We talked about doing what her dad wanted us to do. So it was big to get the win for him."

Stewart's achievements in the game were noteworthy. She broke into the Liberty’s all-time postseason scoring list, surpassing Tamika Whitmore. Her streak of 38 consecutive playoff games with at least 10 points is now the longest in WNBA postseason history.
This matchup between New York and Las Vegas has been fueled by numerous storylines and a sense of rivalry. For Breanna Stewart, this victory was deeply personal. When asked about the motivation behind the win, she candidly said, "You know, I have receipts on the things that were said. The entire team does. But really, my mentality today was to go in and get this one for my wife and her dad."
Adding to the Liberty’s triumph was Sabrina Ionescu, who led the game with 22 points, connecting on 50% of her field goals and 63% from beyond the arc. Her relentless scoring in the first quarter set the tone, and she continued to rewrite the history books with her three-point shooting prowess. Reflecting on the team's unity, Ionescu remarked, "It's NY vs NY, not anyone else. It was nice how we stuck together. We focused on ourselves."
Ionescu's shooting was not only pivotal in the game but also added to her impressive record. She extended her streak to 79 consecutive games with at least one three-pointer, setting a new standard in the WNBA. Commenting on the challenging rivalry with the Aces, Ionescu acknowledged, "They've made us a better team…It's a testament to their togetherness."

Despite facing foul trouble with key players Jonquel Jones and rookie Leonie Fiebich, the Liberty showcased their depth and resilience. Jones contributed effectively with 14 points and six rebounds, even as she surpassed a postseason milestone for offensive rebounds. JJ passed Taj McWilliams-Franklin for the third-most offensive rebounds in WNBA postseason history (138) in the win.
Fiebich, playing through adversity, scored 11 points and set a postseason career high in rebounds and assists. Per reports, Fiebich set a Liberty postseason record for highest plus-minus by a rookie (+28), which was also the second-highest playoff plus-minus by any rookie in WNBA history.
The Liberty overcame every obstacle, including a light-hearted collision between Jonquel Jones and Coach Sandy Brondello, which ended in laughter and camaraderie. "I got right back up, didn't I? Still got it," Brondello joked.
Courtney Vandersloot also played a crucial role off the bench, bolstering the Liberty's performance with eight points and contributing on both ends of the court. Sloot finished a +14 in the plus/minus off the bench.
With the victory, New York snapped the Aces’ impressive 12-game home winning streak in the postseason. The Liberty now await their opponents for the WNBA Finals, either the Connecticut Sun or the Minnesota Lynx, with Game 1 set to tip-off at Barclays Center on Thursday, October 10.
Adding a touch of flair to their victory celebrations, the Liberty's social media team shared a cheeky post—a photo of iconic Timberland boots placed on the Aces' logo, symbolizing their triumphant stand on the opponent's home turf.

Looking ahead, Breanna Stewart's message is clear and composed: "We haven't done anything yet. This was a tough series, an emotional series for a number of different reasons, but we're going to the Finals. We're hosting games 1 and 2, but the feeling is that we're not satisfied."
As the Liberty prepare to host the finals, Stewart hopes for a packed arena, emphasizing, "Homecourt advantage is a real thing, especially when you get to this point, because it's so loud that you can't hear."
Tickets for the WNBA Finals Games 1, 2, and 5 are now available, inviting fans to be part of this exhilarating journey as the Liberty chase their first championship title.

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