With literally seconds ticking off the clock and with the ball in the hands of 2023 WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart, the New York Liberty was literally inches and moments away from hopefully dancing their way to Game 5 of the 2023 WNBA Finals.
As the Barclays Center rocking full of not only lifelong Liberty fans but also celebrities galore the 2023 edition of the New York Liberty showed a ton of heart going up against the Las Vegas Aces.
Sadly though, in one of the most emotional Finals to date, the New York fell to Las Vegas by a score of 70-69 and crowning the Aces as the first back-to-back champs of the WNBA since the 2001-02 season.
A ton of credit goes to the Aces squad, as it was in the Second Half of play the visiting team dug deep to gain there second championship. The storyline of the Aces being down two starters in Kia Stokes and Chelsea Gray, the Las Vegas Championship Run in 2023 may have the makings for a Hollywood script for how they were able to keep on fighting till the end.
As for New York, there are so many emotions to try to sort through as the ultimate goal of winning the championship is left unfulfilled.
Not only are there a ton of emotions but there are going to be some decisions that are going to be made.
New York Liberty fans are encouraged to check out the following video featuring thoughts from Head Coach Sandy Brondello, Breanna Stewart and Courtney Vandersloot from after Game 4…video is compliments of the New York Liberty:
This 2023 edition of the Liberty was built on free agents such as Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart who are trying to balance that delicate line of how to process the emotions of the Game 4 loss along with what their future is going to hold.
There are also some other notable free agents such as Stefanie Dolson, Jocelyn Willoughby and Marine Johannes all walking that same line.
To get into some of the game highlight as there were a ton of memorable performances on the side of New York, as the team finished with four double-digit scorers in the game.
Starting with Courtney Vandersloot as she scored a team-high 19 points on 43.8% (7-16) shooting from the floor, to go along with 44.4% (4-9) from three, seven rebounds, and six assists.
Providing some big-time buckets for New York Betnijah Laney is going to be one to watch for on the roster in the 2024 season. Laney scored 15 points on 46.2% (6-13) shooting from the field, four rebounds, and four assists.
Bringing the energy and passion throughout the night Sabrina Ionescu, as she hit some big-time shots in the night along with feeding off the energy and crowd of the Barclays Center. Ionescu tallied 13 points on 41.7% (5-12) shooting from the field, including 42.9% (3-7) from deep, three rebounds, three assists, and two blocks.
Stewie also had some memorable moments in the night, as the forward was able to do some tremendous work on the low post in picking up some defensive rebounds to help to keep the Liberty in the game, was able to wind up with 10 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, and two steals––her 11th career postseason double-double.
And in one of the most memorable performances to date Jonquel Jones put on a show for the fans at the Barclays Center. Jones and her stellar defensive play is going to be something that WNBA fans are going to talk about for a while.
Including the block of the game for JJ as at the 9:00 mark in the Second Quater, Jones just completely rejected the shot attempt by Kelsey Plum. JJ was able to make a bit of history in the game, as with her 10th rebound in the 2:45 mark of the fourth, JJ was able to break the WNBA Single-Postseason Rebound Record.
As for Las Vegas it was 2023 WNBA Finals MVP A’ja Wilson showing the world true grit, leadership and an uncanny ability to find a lane to score in and was able to finish the night with 24-points and 16-rebounds.
Also impressing on the visitor’s side is Jackie Young as she added 16 points, seven assists, and two rebounds.
Now the narrative shifts towards for the folks in New York allowing the ladies time to process all the feels and emotions of proudly representing the name on the front of the journey, but not having finished the story yet.
As for the ladies of Las Vegas and the folks in the town there they have themselves a completely different story to write as there is going to be celebrations galore to help to honor the team that brought the championship back to Vegas.
One thing is for sure though this 2023 WNBA Finals is going to be one that is remembered and one that is going to go down as something that is going to help to elevate the sport of women’s basketball.
Especially with how back and forth the action was on the court, and all the emotions, passion and leadership shown by both franchises.
2024 is going to be one that is going to be epic for WNBA fans, but first the final notes and conversations of how the 2023 season is to be held.
For more information on the New York Liberty fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here:
Home – New York Liberty (wnba.com)
For more information on the WNBA fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here:
Official Home of the WNBA | Women’s National Basketball Association