On Tuesday night, the New York Liberty defeated the Las Vegas Aces 93-85 in the Commissioner’s Cup Final. The Liberty became the first team in the WNBA to win the tournament twice. There are a few keys to the game that helped New York take home the title.
What Went Right For The Liberty In The Commissioner’s Cup Final Win
A Big Night On Offense
The leader of the New York Liberty, Breanna Stewart, had a huge game. She received the Commissioner’s Cup Final MVP award for the second time in her career. Stewart recorded a 25-point, 11-rebound double-double. The forward also had four assists, two steals, and two blocks. Stewart’s strong performance on offense and defense helped the Liberty maintain a balanced effort throughout the game.
After missing twelve games this season, Sabrina Ionescu is back in the New York Liberty’s starting five. The 2020 first-overall draft pick is a spark that the Liberty offense needed. In Tuesday night’s game, Ionescu was on fire. The guard recorded a season-high 26 points, along with five rebounds and five assists. Ionescu made five three-pointers, one being the dagger to seal the win. Having this type of scoring night from Ionescu was huge for the Liberty.
There is a strong chemistry between Stewart and Ionescu. They always seem to have an understanding of where the other one is on the court. Having this duo back on the hardwood together is a major asset for the Liberty. The combination of 51 points from this duo accounted for more than half of the entire team’s points scored (93). If there is consistent scoring like this every night, the Liberty can be a dangerous team in the WNBA moving forward.
X-Factor Pauline Astier
During the offseason, the New York Liberty signed French guard Pauline Astier. Due to injuries to Ionescu and Satou Sabally at the start of the season, Astier became a starter. The rookie has not disappointed, as she is averaging 10.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game this season. In Tuesday night’s game, Astier was the X-factor, recording 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
This extra contribution of points was crucial in this game. Astier shot 62.5 percent from the floor and made big plays in key moments. Despite being a rookie, the guard has a strong aura of confidence about her. Gaining this experience as a starter throughout most of the tournament will be beneficial to Astier moving forward. Even in high-pressure moments throughout the game, the guard got the big shots to fall.
Defensive Presence
The Liberty ranks fourth in the league in defensive rating at 104.9. What went well in this game was the Las Vegas Aces being held to 85 points, which is lower than their season average of 90.7 points scored per game. As a team, the Liberty recorded five blocks and six steals throughout the game. The double-team coverage the Liberty utilized helped force nine Aces turnovers. There were many moments in which these defensive plays were crucial.
Shot Selection
The Liberty had a couple of tough possessions in the game. In some possessions, the shot clock was winding down, while in others, the defense from the Aces was stellar. However, the Liberty used smart shot selections. Rather than tossing up three-pointers, they used driving to the basket as a main way to score. At certain points, the Liberty went cold from the three-point range, yet they did not let that stop them from scoring.
An Electric Crowd
Playing at Barclays Center in this Commissioner Cup final was huge for the New York Liberty. Having a crowd of 15,112 fans helped bring the energy. Ionescu got her spark back, while Stewart proved why she was a two-time league MVP. The crowd was the extra factor that benefited this Liberty team. Not only that, but that kind of energy from the fans would also be beneficial as they proceed through the season.
Featured Image: John Jones-Imagn Images
