New York Liberty Advance to Semifinals After Sweeping Atlanta Dream
The New York Liberty have secured their spot in the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs after sweeping the Atlanta Dream in the first round with a 2-0 victory. The Liberty’s strong performance in the first round sets the stage for an exciting matchup against the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals. The Liberty’s dominant play in the first round and their top seed positioning in the league have earned them home-court advantage for the upcoming series.
The Las Vegas Aces, the No. 4 seed in the WNBA standings, also had a successful first-round series, sweeping the Seattle Storm to advance to the semifinals. Despite facing injuries throughout the season, the Aces managed to finish strong, winning nine of their last 10 regular-season games.
WNBA Semifinals Schedule
The Liberty will face off against the Aces in a best-of-five series, with the following schedule:
– Game 1: 3 pm ET Sunday, Sept. 29 at Barclays Center
– Game 2: (Time TBA) Tuesday, Oct. 1 at Barclays Center
– Game 3: 9:30 pm Friday, Oct. 3 at Michelob ULTRA Arena
– Game 4 (if necessary): (Time TBA) Sunday, Oct. 6 at Michelob ULTRA Arena
– Game 5 (if necessary): (Time TBA) Tuesday, Oct. 8 at Barclays Center
This semifinal matchup is a rematch of the 2023 WNBA finals, where the Aces emerged victorious in four games. The Liberty, who won all three regular-season matchups against the Aces this year, will look to carry their success into the semifinals.
Key Matchups to Watch
One of the key matchups to watch in this series will be between New York’s guard Sabrina Ionescu and Las Vegas guard Kelsey Plum. Ionescu has been a standout player in the postseason, averaging 26.5 points and seven assists in two games. She will face a challenge from Plum, who has shown her scoring prowess in the playoffs.
Another crucial matchup will be between the MVPs of the two teams: A’ja Wilson of the Aces and Breanna Stewart of the Liberty. Wilson, a three-time MVP winner, has been a dominant force for the Aces, averaging 22.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks in the postseason. Stewart, a two-time MVP winner, will look to lead the Liberty to victory with her offensive and defensive contributions.
Liberty’s Path to Victory
The Liberty will need a strong team effort to overcome the talented Aces and secure a spot in the WNBA finals. Alongside Ionescu and Stewart, players like Jonquel Jones will play a crucial role in the team’s success. The Liberty’s depth and resilience will be tested in this high-stakes semifinal series.
As the Liberty prepare to face the Aces in the semifinals, fans can expect an intense and competitive matchup between two powerhouse teams. With a history of success and championship experience on both sides, the semifinals promise to be a thrilling showdown between the Liberty and the Aces.
For more updates on the New York Liberty and the WNBA playoffs, visit amNY.com.
