When the game hangs in the balance, the two-time defending champions Las Vegas Aces would draw on their experience in battle-tested situations to overcome their opponents.
But that was not the case against Sabrina Ionescu and this version of the New York Liberty on Wednesday, October 2 (Philippine time).
One more win and the Liberty are returning to the Finals. One more loss and the Aces’ three-peat dreams are over.
Ionescu finished with 24 points and the Liberty inched closer towards a return trip to championship round. They hold off the Aces in Game 2, 88-84, to take a commanding 2-0 lead in their WNBA semifinal showdown.
Game 2 belongs to the New York Liberty, commanding a 2-0 lead in Semi-Finals play ?
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 2, 2024
Final Score: NYL 88 | LVA 84
Sabrina Ionescu led the charge with 24 PTS, 9 REB, and 5 AST
Game 3 is set to take place in Vegas on Friday at 9:30pm/ET. #WNBAPlayoffs presented by @Google pic.twitter.com/tFyNFufQwC
The top overall pick of the 2020 WNBA Draft scored seven of Las Vegas’ final 11 points, including hitting crucial free-throws, that helped New York stave off a late Vegas rally.
Ionescu also had nine rebounds, five dimes, and three triples, as she became the second WNBA player in history after Diana Taurasi to record 20 points and five assists while shooting 50% from deep in three straight games.
Sabrina Ionescu is the 2nd player with 20 points, 5 assists and 50% shooting in 3 straight games in WNBA postseason history.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 2, 2024
She joins Diana Taurasi from 2009 (also 3 straight). pic.twitter.com/H9ie2NT01H
Breanna Stewart added 15 markers, seven boards, and eight dimes while Jonquel Jones added 14 points. Courtney Vandersloot also chipped in 12 for New York, who remained unbeaten after four games this playoffs.
No team has rallied from a 0-2 deficit to win a best-of-five playoff series in WNBA postseason history. Game 3 of the series is set on Saturday, October 5 (PH Time).
New York saw their 10-point lead in the third frame cut to a single possession game at 74-72 off a A’Ja Wilson lay with 5:23 seconds left in the regulation.
6-0 run for the Aces 🫡
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 2, 2024
A'ja Wilson lays it in, trimming the lead to just 2. NYL calls for timeout.
LVA-NYL Game 2 on ESPN2 | #WNBAPlayoffs presented by @Google pic.twitter.com/XTWikiqfwr
The reigning MVP then added another pair of breakaway finishes to help the Aces strike within one point, 76-77, 2:36 ticks remaining.
22 PTS and counting for A'ja Wilson 🔥
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 2, 2024
LVA trails by 1 with 2:36 left on the game clock
LVA-NYL Game 2 on ESPN2 | #WNBAPlayoffs presented by @Google pic.twitter.com/erLZ7L5nGm
Moments later, Ionescu responded to Alysha Clark’s game-tying basket with a tough mid-range jumper to give the lead back to Liberty, 83-81, with a little over 1:15 seconds left in the game.
SABRINA IONESCU PUTS NEW YORK AHEAD 🗽
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 2, 2024
NYL claims the 2-point lead late in the 4Q
LVA-NYL Game 2 on ESPN2 | #WNBAPlayoffs presented by @Google pic.twitter.com/HPmho3uvBX
Wilson then had several chances to tie the game for the Aces, but missed two jumpers late as Ionescu fouled Tiffany Hayes with 16.9 ticks remaining off of a jump ball. New York eventually hold on to the lead and complete a pulsating win in front of their home crowd.
Meanwhile, Wilson topscored the Aces with 24 points as Jackie Young added 17 markers for the Aces. This is their first 0-2 playoff deficit since the 2020 WNBA Finals loss against eventual champions Seattle Storm.
Kelsey Plum scored just six points after averaging 26.5 points in his last two playoff games.
