Las Vegas takes on the defending WNBA champions, New York, on Saturday. The Aces fell to the Liberty in a 3-1 semifinal series in 2024. In the final game of the series, the Liberty dominated the Aces with a 14-point differential. In the 76-62 final, the Liberty held the Aces to only 24 points in the second half.
“We talked our crap, they heard and they get to talk their crap,” said coach Becky Hammon in the post-game press conference following last season’s defeat. “It’s part of the game. It’s not personal. I can talk crap all I want. At the end of the day, I have mad respect for [Liberty coach] Sandy [Brondello]. Sandy coached me. Me and Sandy go way back. [Sabrina Ionescu], [Breanna Stewart], I have mad respect for those players. I think Stewie is phenomenal.”
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The Liberty will be receiving their championship rings in a pregame ceremony. However, the Aces remain unbothered by this display.
“We’re always just focusing on ourselves,” said Aces guard Jackie Young. “… I think it’s just going in there and focusing on Aces basketball.”
In the preseason, Las Vegas maintained a perfect record throughout two games. In a close game against the Phoenix Mercury, the Aces pulled off an 85-84 win with three seconds left. Deja Kelly, who was waived shortly after media day, made the game-winning shot. She led the Aces and Mercury with 15 points in the game. A’ja Wilson had six defensive rebounds, while Chelsea Gray had six assists and two turnovers.
On the other hand, the Liberty went 1-1, losing their first game to the Sun. The Sun, led by Tina Charles with 17 points, overcame the champions in a 94-86 win. Marine Johannès led the Liberty in points, scoring 12 of the 86 points. Former Sky forward Isabelle Harrison led the Liberty in rebounds with five — four defensive and one offensive. Sabrina Ionescu led with six assists, and three turnovers.
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The Liberty have no injuries listed for their upcoming debut. The Aces have Dana Evans (knee), Megan Gustafson (lower left leg) and Cheyenne Parker-Tyus (pregnancy) out for the season debut.
In last year’s semifinal elimination game, Ionescu claimed that the Aces “made us a better team.” With a rivalry growing between the east and west coasts, these champion-minded teams are bound to put on a show. The game tips off at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn at 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST and can be watched on ESPN Plus, Disney Plus and ABC.
