The New York Liberty emerged victorious in the WNBA’s third annual Commissioner’s Cup, defeating the Las Vegas Aces with a score of 82-63. The game took place at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday. Let’s take a closer look at the key highlights and analysis from the game.
MVP Performance by Jonquel Jones
Jonquel Jones, the forward for the New York Liberty, was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the game. Jones made a significant contribution to her team’s victory with 16 points and 15 rebounds. Her exceptional performance played a crucial role in securing the win for the Liberty.
Leading Scorers
Marine Johannes led the scoring for the Liberty with 17 points, while Jackie Young was the top scorer for the Aces with 16 points. Both players showcased their skills and made valuable contributions to their respective teams’ offensive efforts.
Season Series Tied
The season series between the New York Liberty and the Las Vegas Aces is currently tied at 1-1. In their most recent encounter, the Liberty dominated the Aces with a resounding 99-61 victory on August 6th. The teams have been evenly matched throughout the season, making their matchups highly anticipated and exciting for fans.
Liberty’s Bench Advantage
One of the key factors that worked in favor of the New York Liberty was their bench advantage. While the Las Vegas Aces boast a strong starting lineup with four multi-time All-Stars, the Liberty were able to match their firepower with their own first five players. Additionally, New York’s bench players provided meaningful offensive production, with Marine Johannes and Kayla Thornton combining for 25 points. This gave the Liberty an edge over the Aces and helped them maintain their lead throughout the game.
Aces’ Offensive Struggles
The Las Vegas Aces faced significant challenges on the offensive end during the Commissioner’s Cup final. After a disappointing second half performance in their previous meeting with the Liberty, where they scored only 17 points, the Aces continued to struggle in this game. New York’s defensive switching tactics prevented the Aces from penetrating the paint, and their jump shots failed to find the mark, with the team shooting just 5-of-26 from beyond the arc. The Aces also had limited success at the free-throw line, with New York’s disciplined defense allowing them only two free-throw attempts in the second half.
Impact of Candace Parker’s Absence
The Las Vegas Aces were the reigning champions last season, and their success was largely attributed to the addition of Candace Parker, a two-time MVP. Parker elevated the team’s offensive and defensive capabilities, making them a formidable force. However, without Parker in the lineup, the Aces have struggled on offense, often playing 4-on-5 for extended periods. They have also experienced a decline in rebounding, as evidenced by their 49-28 rebounding disadvantage against the Liberty in this game. Parker’s absence has been felt by the Aces, and they will need to find ways to compensate for her absence moving forward.
Prize Money and Donations
The winning players from the New York Liberty will receive $30,000 each, while the players from the Las Vegas Aces will receive $10,000 each. Additionally, the WNBA will donate $10,000 to the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, chosen by the Liberty as their non-profit organization. The Aces’ chosen organization, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, will receive $5,000.
Background of the Commissioner’s Cup
The Commissioner’s Cup is an in-season competition that features all 12 teams in the WNBA. The teams compete in 60 regular-season games to determine the top contenders who will face off in the championship game. The New York Liberty emerged as the top contender from the Eastern Conference, finishing with a 7-3 record in their Cup-designated games. The Las Vegas Aces secured their spot from the Western Conference, finishing with an impressive 9-1 record in their designated games.
Looking Ahead
The New York Liberty’s victory in the Commissioner’s Cup final has solidified their position as a strong contender in the WNBA. With their balanced roster and bench depth, they have proven to be a formidable force. The Las Vegas Aces will need to regroup and find ways to overcome their offensive struggles in order to maintain their status as one of the league’s top teams.
In conclusion, the New York Liberty’s dominant performance in the Commissioner’s Cup final against the Las Vegas Aces showcased their strength and depth as a team. Jonquel Jones’ MVP performance, combined with the Liberty’s bench advantage, proved to be the difference-maker in the game. The Aces’ offensive struggles and the absence of Candace Parker were significant factors contributing to their defeat. As the WNBA season progresses, both teams will continue to strive for success and aim to make their mark in the league.