A WNBA Finals matchup between the league's two super-teams was anticipated ever since the offseason rumblings that the New York Liberty were building a true one through free agency. The reality hits Sunday when the Liberty and Las Vegas Aces tip off Game 1 of the best-of-five series at Michelob Ultra Arena on the Vegas strip (3 p.m. ET on ABC).
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 17: A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces gestures after her teammate Jackie Young #0 hit a 3-pointer against the Chicago Sky in the first quarter of Game Two of the 2023 WNBA Playoffs first round at Michelob ULTRA Arena on September 17, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Sky 92-70 to win the series two games to none.
“That’s the narrative everyone wanted at the start,” Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello said after her team clinched its first Finals berth since 2002. “I never particularly liked the super-team thing.” The Liberty traded for 2021 MVP and four-time All-Star Jonquel Jones in January to pair with Sabrina Ionescu and Betnijah Laney, who have both been All-Stars in recent seasons. That’s one. When free agency opened, the Liberty signed Breanna Stewart, the most sought-after free agent who had one MVP at the time, two championships and two Finals MVPs. That’s two. And to shake the sprinkles on top, All-Star point guard and WNBA champion Courtney Vandersloot joined them.
There’s little to counter the argument the Liberty are a super-team. The franchise added three All-Stars, and two MVPs at that, in one offseason. In a league where top players often didn’t change franchises under the previous CBAs, it is revolutionary to see a team go from sliding into the playoffs to title contender so quickly.
It was a side of the ball the Aces ranked seventh in last season and head coach Becky Hammon said needed to be improved since opponents would catch up to them on offense. The Liberty boast the league’s second-best offense and best 3-point team, displaying how prescient that doubled-down focus could be for Vegas’ repeat chances.She was back on the Aces' bench during the postseason, but there have been no signs she is getting ready for game play.
Las Vegas won Game 3 of the 2022 semifinals in overtime against the Seattle Storm to take momentum and win Game 4 to advance. They won Games 1, 2 and 4 against the Connecticut Sun by three, 14 and seven points, respectively. Their Game 3 loss was by 29.
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