Current:Home > MarketsWNBA Finals Game 1 recap: Las Vegas Aces near title repeat with win over New York Liberty -CapitalCourse
WNBA Finals Game 1 recap: Las Vegas Aces near title repeat with win over New York Liberty
View
Date:2025-04-13 02:47:19
The Las Vegas Aces are on track for back-to-back titles after they won Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Sunday, beating the New York Liberty, 99-82, at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas
The defending champions had as big a lead as 22 after they scrapped back from a slow first half to put on a show in front of Sheryl Swoopes, LeBron James and Tom Brady.
Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young each had a career-playoff high 26 points. Chelsea Gray had nine assists on her birthday.
“I have the best teammates in the world," Plum said postgame on the ESPN broadcast, "so whatever I gotta do to just get open, Chelsea’s gonna find me. Jack was phenomenal tonight. It was just a great team win.”
The Aces are undefeated in the playoffs and the sixth team in WNBA history to win their first six games of the postseason.
Breanna Stewart led the Liberty with 21 points and nine rebounds. Marine Johannès added 14 points off the bench, including four three-point buckets.
"I'm just a huge fan, other than when she's playing us," Aces head coach Becky Hammon said of Johannès after the game.
2023 WNBA PLAYOFFS:Finals schedule, scores, matchups and award winners
Las Vegas pulled away in the second half after being down 49-46 at halftime. They faced an eight-point deficit in the second quarter after Kayla Thornton scored a three-point shot with one of six assists from Courtney Vandersloot. The Aces went on a 9-0 run between the third and fourth quarters to secure the lead.
"They took the first punch and now we have to respond," Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said.
WNBA Finals Game 1 highlights
The Las Vegas Aces came alive in the second half, led by guards Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young, who each had 26 points.
Plum had nine points in the last five minutes of the second quarter to give her team momentum heading into the break.
For the New York Liberty, Marine Johannès had 14 points off the bench in the first half, including four three-point buckets.
A'ja Wilson scored the first points of the game and finished with 19 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
Courtney Vandersloot had a historic day. Her six assists moved her past Lindsay Whalen for second in league history in playoff assists. Her 10 points also gave her 500 career playoff points.
When is Game 2 of the WNBA Finals?
Game 2 of the WNBA Finals will tip off at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.
veryGood! (6)
Related
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- See Megan Fox, Machine Gun Kelly, Brian Austin Green and Sharna Burgess' Blended Family Photos
- Candidates line up for special elections to replace Virginia senators recently elected to US House
- Watch as massive amount of crabs scamper across Australian island: 'It's quite weird'
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- Olivia Munn Says She “Barely Knew” John Mulaney When She Got Pregnant With Their Son
- Why was Jalen Ramsey traded? Dolphins CB facing former team on 'Monday Night Football'
- Richard Allen found guilty in the murders of two teens in Delphi, Indiana. What now?
- What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
- Mississippi rising, Georgia falling in college football NCAA Re-Rank 1-134 after Week 11
Ranking
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
- NFL Week 10 winners, losers: Cowboys' season can no longer be saved
- Repair Hair Damage In Just 90 Seconds With This Hack from WNBA Star Kamilla Cardoso
- Jennifer Lopez Turns Wicked Premiere Into Family Outing With 16-Year-Old Emme
- What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
- Advocates Expect Maryland to Drive Climate Action When Trump Returns to Washington
- Too Hot to Handle’s Francesca Farago Gives Birth, Welcomes Twins With Jesse Sullivan
- Is Kyle Richards Finally Ready to File for Divorce From Mauricio Umansky? She Says...
Recommendation
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Georgia House Republicans stick with leadership team for the next two years
West Virginia governor-elect Morrisey to be sworn in mid-January
DWTS' Sasha Farber Claps Back at Diss From Jenn Tran's Ex Devin Strader
Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
Waymo’s robotaxis now open to anyone who wants a driverless ride in Los Angeles
'Gladiator 2' review: Yes, we are entertained again by outrageous sequel
Kyle Richards Shares an Amazing Bottega Dupe From Amazon Along With Her Favorite Fall Trends