The Las Vegas Aces came back to beat the New York Liberty 99-82 in Game 1 of the 2023 WNBA Finals on Sunday at Michelob Ultra Arena. Here’s what you need to know:
- The Aces trailed 49-46 at halftime but went on a 26-16 run in the third quarter to head into the final period in control, up 72-65.
- Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum led all scorers with 26 points each as the Aces shot nearly 55 percent from the field, while teammate A’ja Wilson put up 19 points with eight rebounds, two steals and three blocks. Breanna Stewart paced the Liberty with 21 points and nine rebounds, and Jonquel Jones added 16 points and 10 rebounds.
- Las Vegas, the defending WNBA champion, is playing in its third finals in four years, while New York is in its first since 2002 — and seeking its first title.
Third-quarter run proves critical for Aces
The Liberty led by 3 points at halftime, having shot 51.4 percent from the field and received a punch on offense from reserve guard Marine Johannès. But in the third quarter, Las Vegas’ defense stiffened and Young exploded on the other end. Behind 12 third-quarter points from Young, which brought her total to 24 entering the final frame, the Aces outscored the Liberty 26-16 in the third, swinging a slight deficit into a 7-point lead.
During the regular…
