New York Liberty at Connecticut Sun
· WNBA Commissioner's CupLiberty clinch spot in Commissioner's Cup final, end the Sun's undefeated run with 82-75 win
The Liberty clinched the Eastern Conference bid to the Commissioner's Cup final by virtue of having the tiebreaker over the Sun. New York won the cup title last season.
New York fell behind by five early in the fourth quarter but tied it on a layup by Betnijah Laney-Hamilton and a 3-pointer by Jones. Later in the quarter, Ionescu made her first field goal since the first quarter, giving New York a two-point lead, and Breanna Stewart hit a 3-pointer to make it 69-64 with 5 1/2 minutes to go.
With 93 seconds left, Tyasha Harris hit a 3-pointer to get the Sun within 76-75. Jones answered with a 3, and Ionescu scored in the paint to give the Liberty an 81-75 lead with 43 seconds left.
Stewart finished with 13 points and Laney-Hamilton had 10 for New York (10-2). Laney-Hamilton had six assists and Ionescu, Jones and Stewart had five each as the Liberty had 27 assists on 31 made shots.
Six Connecticut players scored in double figures, led by DeWanna Bonner with 16 points. Brionna Jones scored 13, DiJonai Carrington 12, Tiffany Mitchell 12 and Tyasha Harris 11. Alyssa Thomas had 10 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists.
The six double-figure scorers accounted for all but one of Connecticut's points and six players combined to score all of New York's points.
Led by Ionescu, who scored 10 points on 4-for-4 shooting with two 3-pointers, the Liberty shot 69% in the first quarter and led 28-18 heading to the second.
After trading baskets to open the second quarter, the Sun went on a 10-0 run to tie it at 30, the last three points coming on a layup and free throw from Mitchell.
The score was tied at 39 at halftime.
A 10-footer by Carrington gave the Sun a 46-45 lead three minutes into the second half. Connecticut went on to build a 54-47 lead but New York kept it close and trailed 60-57 heading to the fourth quarter.
Regular Season Series
NY wins series 3-1
Recent Plays
4th 0.0 | End of Game | 82 - 75 | |
4th 0.0 | End of the 4th Quarter | 82 - 75 | |
4th 23.0 | Liberty defensive team rebound | 82 - 75 | |
4th 24.0 | Tyasha Harris misses 20-foot jumper | 82 - 75 | |
4th 29.0 | Sun Full timeout | 82 - 75 |
Statistics
NY | CONN | |
---|---|---|
31-60 | FG | 29-71 |
51.7 | Field Goal % | 40.8 |
9-25 | 3PT | 4-16 |
36.0 | Three Point % | 25.0 |
11-13 | FT | 13-17 |
84.6 | Free Throw % | 76.5 |
28 | Rebounds | 35 |
0 | Offensive Rebounds | 11 |
28 | Defensive Rebounds | 24 |
27 | Assists | 17 |
8 | Steals | 3 |
5 | Blocks | 2 |
11 | Turnovers | 13 |
1 | Team Turnovers | 0 |
12 | Total Turnovers | 13 |
0 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
0 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
0 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
13 | Points Conceded Off Turnovers | 12 |
9 | Fast Break Points | 9 |
38 | Points in Paint | 44 |
18 | Fouls | 14 |
12 | Largest Lead | 7 |
Game Information
Location: Uncasville, CT
Attendance: 8,910 · Capacity:
2023-24 Eastern Conference Standings
TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
New York | - | 8 | L1 | 0.8 | 32 |
Connecticut | 4 | 12 | W1 | 0.7 | 28 |
Indiana | 12 | 20 | L1 | 0.5 | 20 |
Atlanta | 17 | 25 | W3 | 0.375 | 15 |
Washington | 18 | 26 | W1 | 0.35 | 14 |
Chicago | 19 | 27 | L5 | 0.325 | 13 |
WNBA News
A'ja Wilson thanks teammates after MVP surprise
A'ja Wilson thanks her teammates after getting surprised with the news that she is the 2024 WNBA MVP.
A'ja Wilson's WNBA accomplishments and basketball honors
Here's a look at some of WNBA star A'ja Wilson's career accomplishments and honors.
WNBA MVP winners list: Wilson, Stewart, Parker, Leslie, more
The annual WNBA MVP award has been given to an all-star selection of players since 1997. Check out the list of winners now.
Aces' A'ja Wilson becomes second unanimous MVP in WNBA history
Aces star A'ja Wilson claimed her third career WNBA MVP Award and joined Cynthia Cooper as the only unanimous winners of the honor in league history.
Is A'ja Wilson's MVP season the WNBA's greatest ever?
A'ja Wilson has won her third MVP award, this time unanimously. Where does her performance stand among all MVP seasons in WNBA history? We rank the top 10.