Watch NBA New York vs Las Vegas 06.10.2024
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00:00:00In Las Vegas, Nevada, getting ready for game four of these best-of-five semifinals,
00:00:06the New York Liberty a 2-1 series lead on the Las Vegas Aces. How did we get here? It started
00:00:14with an epic game one performance from Brianna Stewart, 34 points in route to an 87-77 New York
00:00:21win. In game two, Sabrina Ionescu operated cleanly down the stretch to guide the Liberty to a 2-0
00:00:29series lead, but Asia Wilson and the Aces responded on their home floor in game three
00:00:34to stay alive and force today's game four. As we take a look at our playoff brackets,
00:00:39coming up at 5 Eastern on ESPN, it'll be game four between the Lynx and the Sun.
00:00:45As we welcome you courtside, hey everybody, Ryan Rucco alongside the birthday girl,
00:00:50the Hall of Famer, Rebecca Lobo. So happy to be with you this Sunday afternoon on ABC.
00:00:55Rebecca, what we saw in game three from the Aces was their championship core all step up.
00:01:01Becky Hammond said it was the best game that her team has played all season, and when you look at
00:01:06their backcourt in particular, it's not just the point production. They were able to do it
00:01:11efficiently. They need another performance like that here in game four. Let's take a look at
00:01:15today's on-court connection brought to you by Bumble. Becky Hammond also told us Chelsea Gray
00:01:21is a different vibe, and she had that vibe going in game three. Had her passes working, right hand,
00:01:28left hand, seven assists on the day. She's certainly their engine and their energy.
00:01:34Meanwhile, in game three, all of the New York big three struggled in certain ways.
00:01:40Yeah, they struggled to be efficient. They struggled to score. In particular,
00:01:43Sabrina Ionescu wasn't able to get the normal volume of shots she gets,
00:01:48but my eye today is on John Paul Jones. She is the biggest mismatch in terms of
00:01:55how she can dominate on the offensive end. Take a look at these starting lineups for the Liberty.
00:02:01They're starting five, but it still has the best plus minus of any five-player unit in these
00:02:06playoffs, although they were outscored by 12 in game three, and for the Aces, no Kia Stokes again
00:02:14suffered a concussion in game two. Alicia Clark has done a nice job
00:02:18sliding in to the starting lineup with Vegas' core four.
00:02:24The Aces have won a WNBA record 12 straight home playoff games. The Liberty have lost
00:02:31back-to-back games just once this season. It came way back at the beginning of the year.
00:02:36Here's Ionescu. Ionescu into the lane, kicks it out. Laney Hamilton can't hit the three.
00:02:51Jones, the offensive rebound, another chance here for New York. Jones got to get out of that lane.
00:02:57Crowd wanted a three-second. They didn't get it. Laney Hamilton can't hit the follow-up.
00:03:03First possession for New York. Breanna Stewart initiates the offense. They run Sabrina Ionescu
00:03:08off screen. She gets good penetration into the paint, made the right decision.
00:03:12Sandy Rondello told us they may have to put the ball in Breanna Stewart's hands a little
00:03:17more here in game four. Young gets three and connects. One thing you'll notice that was
00:03:24different on that defensive possession, Breanna Stewart defending Kelsey Plum. That has not been
00:03:29her primary assignment this series yet. Ionescu on Alicia Clark. With size, they swing it around.
00:03:39Jones can't hit the three. Wilson the rebound. Wilson tearing down the floor. Couldn't finish.
00:03:49Both of these teams would like to play with a lot of pace. Not too fast when they get in the
00:03:54quarter court, but with pace. Sandy Rondello said we want to play with pace, but we also
00:04:00have to be smart. In game three, we did not hunt when Vegas was back on defense. Stewart, tough
00:04:08shot. It still drops it in. Really good big-to-big screen on that one. The on-ball screen. Jean-Claude
00:04:14Jones, the screen and roll. First points of the game for New York. Young, not that time.
00:04:21Again, Breanna Stewart initiates the offense. This worked well in game two for the New York
00:04:29Liberty. Here's Stewart. Off to Jones. Big-to-big screen again. Jones working Clark, taking it in
00:04:38on her for the bucket and the foul. Jean-Claude Jones, a chance for three. The bigs will have to
00:04:45switch on those big-to-big screens, and Alicia Clark ends up on Jean-Claude Jones.
00:04:54She's got the size here. JJ can just drive in, creates the contact, gets the in-one opportunity.
00:05:06Jones completes the three-point play.
00:05:095-3 lead for New York, early minutes of game four. Vegas facing elimination. Young. Off to Gray.
00:05:25The 6'4 German rookie. Gray, what a whip inside. Clark couldn't finish the lay.
00:05:32Stewart, off to Unescu. Extra feed, Laney Hamilton dumps it down, and Jones can reverse it in,
00:05:41gets it back, gets stripped, loose ball. Stewart has it. And it's out of bounds,
00:05:47stays here with New York. But another big opportunity inside for Jones on the mismatch,
00:05:54just couldn't finish. But you like the aggressiveness with which she's playing.
00:05:58If you're the New York Liberty, she's burying her defender deep inside and getting good catches.
00:06:08Extraordinarily loud. And a foul here on Young. Jackie Young picks up her first.
00:06:15Alicia Clark with an early personal as well. Both teams have talked about how important it is for
00:06:20them on the defensive end to be physical and show toughness, and we've already seen it.
00:06:26Every possession here. Becky Hammond said our defense was great in game three after it was
00:06:32atrocious in games one and two. Feebish back to Unescu in the corner. She got it. Not a three.
00:06:42An 8-0 Liberty run, and Unescu, who did not score until the fourth quarter of game three,
00:06:48drains a three in her 20th straight playoff game here in the first quarter of game four.
00:06:56Gray lost it, and they call a foul on Laney Hamilton.
00:07:10On ball screen, John Paul Jones rolls hard, so Alicia Clark has to come in. That's why New York
00:07:16gets the defense in rotation. So even if JJ doesn't get the ball, she has to roll hard and fast.
00:07:21Wilson nearly lost it. Gray, a deep three. Off the mark. Good box out from Unescu,
00:07:27and Stewart guides the rebound. Here's Jones. Guarded by Wilson.
00:07:37Jones backing her down into the lane, squirts it out to Stewart, 10 to shoot.
00:07:45Stewart looking to take it to Jackie Young. The lefty lay is good.
00:07:51What a take from Breanna Stewart, and a 10-0 New York run will trigger a Vegas timeout.
00:08:00Tough take by Breanna Stewart. She gets the switch. Jackie Young being physical with her,
00:08:06reciprocates, and finishes with the left.
00:08:13ABC's coverage of the 2024 WNBA playoffs is presented by Google Pixel,
00:08:19the only phone engineered by Google. In part by Gatorade. Is it in you? And Nike.
00:08:31This WNBA game is presented by DoorDash, the official partner of the WNBA and a fan of all
00:08:38women in sport. It's happening. It's happening now. Up your street, on your street, and we need
00:08:47more. Because 50% of young girls are quitting sports. But we're still here. You just need to
00:08:55watch. Watch us deliver. Welcome back to Las Vegas, the Liberty with a 10-3 lead here in the
00:09:05first quarter. And after game three, Sandy Brandello talked to Sabrina Unescu and said,
00:09:10listen, I don't want you to fight the pressure. I don't want you to waste energy. I just want to let
00:09:14the game come to you. And how do you do that? So I asked Sabrina, hey, how do you want to see
00:09:18this game start? And she said, I want high ball screens. I want to be able to get downhill and
00:09:22create some mismatches. And if she couldn't get shots, to be an effective, aggressive passer.
00:09:27You guys want to ask her how she felt this morning? Steady, just like Sabrina. But she did
00:09:31say she's excited for a day game. A day game that New York's off to a good start on. Thank you very
00:09:37much, Brooke. As Unescu comes back for the rebound. Sabrina Unescu struggled with that
00:09:43pressure in game three. But New York operating well at the start of game four like that.
00:09:51Really handled well by Sabrina Unescu. A little bit of a retreat and then able to get around and
00:09:56get the ball to what Open's doing. Young left alone. Misses the banker.
00:10:02Seven straight misses from Vegas. After Young hit the first shot they took.
00:10:13Here's Jones. Creeping down. Fading away. Can't make it in.
00:10:24Long swivels into the paint. Gets fouled by Jones. Let's take a listen in to sounds of the game.
00:10:30Sabrina and Chelsea wearing mics for us. That went too bouncy.
00:10:39No, I always start it. JJ.
00:10:47Keep finding windows. Jay. Yes, Jay.
00:10:53Well, one of the things that Sandy Brondello talked to us about, she said watching the film
00:10:58from game three, we just didn't compete. We didn't use any physicality. We knew they were
00:11:02going to play better. But we didn't do anything to exert ourselves. Clearly at the start of this
00:11:09game a much better level of physicality for New York. Without question. One player who's going to
00:11:13have to be careful now. We just saw her pick up her first foul. She got into foul trouble and it
00:11:18affected her in game three. And it affected the Liberty as well with her off the floor.
00:11:24Here is Jones off the delivery from Stewart and Wilson the rejection.
00:11:30The two-time defensive player of the year with the block. Here's Clark at three. No.
00:11:36And Stewart and Ionescu team up and can't handle it. Out of bounds to the Aces.
00:11:44Asia Wilson is an incredible defender. The two-time defensive player of the year. She switches. She
00:11:50comes over. It is hard to block Jonquil Jones because of her length. Asia's right there stays
00:11:56vertical. Wow. Beautiful defense. One of the things that Becky Hammett has talked to us about,
00:12:01she said Asia's blocks at home feel like dunks. They're momentum plays that you can really feel
00:12:07in the crowd as Young misses the layup. Knocked out of bounds by Stewart off a great delivery
00:12:13from Wilson. Jonquil Jones was also fortunate to not get hit with her second foul there
00:12:19as she knocked down I believe it was Tiffany Hayes before the ball was inbounded.
00:12:24Shocking to see how many missed layups Vegas has had so far.
00:12:29They won the battle of the paint in game three. They're getting really good looks inside. And
00:12:34they've missed nine straight shots. Here's Wilson fading away. Ten straight shots. And again New
00:12:40York unable to secure the defensive glass. Something that has not been an issue for them
00:12:46in this matchup. But has been just on this trip down the floor. Really great effort by Tiffany
00:12:53Hayes just mixing things up inside. They'll see Kayla Thornton the first reserve in off the bench
00:12:59for New York today. Electing to go big and physical rather than with Vander Sleet as Wilson
00:13:05gives the Aces their first field goal in five minutes. We saw that in game three as well.
00:13:11An under out of bounds where there was miscommunication from the Liberty defense.
00:13:14And Vegas getting a relatively good look. Ten seven New York leads it. Stewart left alone
00:13:21doesn't take. Ionescu into the lane flips it in plus the foul. Sabrina Ionescu a chance for three.
00:13:34Sabrina Ionescu navigating up top. Just uses her quick first step going left
00:13:40plus the floater. Two things that she really worked on this offseason.
00:13:45Tiffany Hayes struggled with Ionescu in game two. Did not register any field goal attempts
00:13:51from Ionescu in game three. Other defenders spending more time on her. And right away Hayes
00:13:56picks up a foul with Ionescu completing the three point play. Much better start to game four for
00:14:04Sabrina Ionescu. Who had been terrific through the first four games of these playoffs. Hayes
00:14:13cuts in and drops it home. Nice take from the veteran Tiffany Hayes. She saw the shot clock
00:14:19running down just assessed the floor and she's been doing that for a lot of years. Using that
00:14:25quick first step to get by the defenders. The sixth player of the year came out of retirement
00:14:30for the Aces. Ionescu gets a step and cans the three. A rare time where Asia Wilson was in drop
00:14:40coverage and so there was no one there to contest Sabrina Ionescu. How about the bounce back from
00:14:45Ionescu. Nine points on three of three shooting. Glove loses it. Gets it back and gets fouled as
00:14:54Febish took a shot to the face but the foul is called on New York. It'll be on Ionescu.
00:15:01Her first and Febish taking a moment. Beckham has talked so much about how important it is
00:15:08to limit Sabrina Ionescu. She's the head of the stake and Tiffany Hayes tried to get over but got
00:15:13caught. You see Asia Wilson just dropped down. Leaves Sabrina a really good look. Well one of
00:15:20the things Becky Hammond told us she said we had Stewie rules now we have Saab rules as well
00:15:25for our defense. Plum it's the first taking a look at the upcoming WNBA national tv schedule.
00:15:31Two possible game fives this Tuesday on ESPN 2 if necessary.
00:15:36Aces, Liberties, Sun, Lynx. For more on these games go to WNBA.com or visit the WNBA app.
00:15:43No matter what the finals will start Thursday night on ESPN. Here's Ionescu.
00:15:52You see the pressure that Tiffany Hayes is applying. Full court. Ionescu you bet her third
00:16:00three in the first quarter. And of course now New York knows what to expect in terms of that
00:16:06pressure. Ionescu gets rid of it they set a screen gets it right back. Ionescu with 12 first quarter
00:16:13points. She's four for four from the floor and three for three from three. She has all of the
00:16:19pressure on her. Just a quick pitch back by Leonie Feebish and Tiffany Hayes gets caught on it.
00:16:27Wow what a start for Sabrina Ionescu here. How about the mental toughness or well-documented
00:16:35struggles in game three to bounce back like this at the start of game four.
00:16:39Oh what a dive. Gray into Wilson who can't bank it home. Great contest from Stewart.
00:16:49Not only the contest but then to be able to also go up and corral the defensive board that's tough.
00:16:56Here's Ionescu.
00:17:01Ionescu with Hayes on her around the Stewart screen lost the handle.
00:17:06Plum pedaling it forward lays it in.
00:17:15New York quickly into the front court.
00:17:19Feebish attacking Plum and lays it home. The smooth game of Leonie Feebish. As you see both
00:17:26teams looking to push pace attack the bucket when they can. 21-13 New York in front. Gray dumps it
00:17:33down. Wilson gets the whistle. Cuts the foul. Number two on Feebish and Wilson a chance for three.
00:17:47Aja Wilson just posts a deep and low calls for the basketball and then when she gets it does
00:17:54not get sped up just goes up with her strong left hands. You see that off arm her right off arm is
00:18:01what Feebish hits. So foul trouble for Feebish early who has had the best plus minus of any
00:18:08player in these playoffs. She goes to the bench Kennedy Burt in for New York.
00:18:17You see instead of making Sabrina just battle the pressure give the ball to
00:18:21Granna Stewart let her initiate. Gray comes up with the interception.
00:18:28Here's Gray through the lane. Flicks it out.
00:18:39Coming on a minute to go in the first quarter of game four New York a 2-1 series lead
00:18:44in these best of five semis. Stewart gives it up. Laney Hamilton attacking club.
00:18:52Burt couldn't handle it. Pass a little elevated and Burt could not grab it in front of the New
00:19:01York bench. Third turnover for the Liberty. Aces have not turned it over in this first.
00:19:06That was one of the stories of game two was the amount of turnovers Vegas had in particular
00:19:15eight in the second quarter alone a team that typically takes very good care of the basketball.
00:19:21Two for one opportunity for the Aces. Hayes looking to attack Vander Sloot.
00:19:28And does. Puts the foul. Tiffany Hayes a chance for three. Simple simple guard to guard screening
00:19:36action to get Vander Sloot switched on to Hayes. You see it right here and then Tiff Hayes just
00:19:42knows she has the quickness advantage there the size as well to finish on the contest.
00:19:48Also executes the two for one nicely.
00:19:51Hayes four points off the bench in this first quarter. Got a nice response from Vegas.
00:19:58As Hayes hits the free throw. New York is led by as many as eight. Here's Stewart. New York going
00:20:06for the two for one. Stewart can't make it in. Tips it home though. What a hop from Brianna Stewart.
00:20:14Some pressure applied here from New York. Stewart with six points five rebounds to assist
00:20:19in this first quarter. Got a six second difference game at shot clock. Hayes to the corner. Colson
00:20:26a three. Rims out. Rebounds. Scatters over to Thornton. Four seconds left.
00:20:31A foul is called. Or is it? No.
00:21:04There was a foul. The official said no, no, no. That was clean. And boy was it.
00:21:09Vegas' defensive energy was the story in game three. It has continued here in game four. What
00:21:15a block. And what a quarter for Sabrina who is with Brooke. Sabrina a brilliant start for you
00:21:19in the first quarter here. What do you feel like has been the biggest difference from game three
00:21:23to four? Just being aggressive. Continuing to take what the defense gives me and obviously
00:21:28continuing to look to score. And you've been taking those high ball screens like you mentioned
00:21:31how has that been opening up things and shots for your teammates? Yeah, I mean it's opening up the
00:21:36floor. Just getting high ball screens. Continuing to attack. And when I see a good look I got to
00:21:40take it. Thanks, Sabrina. Thank you. Well, Sabrina Yonescu 12 points. Three of three from three in
00:21:46that first. This presentation of the WNBA playoffs presented by Google. We'll continue after this
00:21:51message and a word from our ABC stations. WNBA playoffs presented by Google. Started the second
00:22:02quarter in Las Vegas. We chat with Liberty head coach Sandy Brandello after Sabrina Yonescu put
00:22:08up 12 points in that first quarter. Coach, what'd you like most about the way Sabrina in particular
00:22:12was operating in that first? Look, I thought she was giving the ball up and then we'll get her
00:22:16through multiple actions and Stewie just the cutting and the gravitational pull she gets.
00:22:21And then Sabrina, she's a great player. She's making big shots. A lot more big-to-big on-ball
00:22:26screening with JJ and Stewie. What have you liked that you've seen from that? Well, they don't want
00:22:29to switch. So it gives us a little bit of an advantage there. So we're trying to put that in
00:22:33as much as we can and we'll keep going to it and hopefully it's going to be successful for us.
00:22:38All right, thanks a lot coach. Thank you. Start of the second quarter. Game four. 2-1 series lead
00:22:45for New York is Gray. Gray's in a three. So much credit to Tiffany Hayes for getting the dribble
00:22:54penetration and then recognizing Gray was the player who was open. Stewart wide open connects
00:23:00on a three. Nine points, five rebounds, two assists for the two-time MVP Brianna Stewart.
00:23:09Here's Plum in the corner. Back to Gray. Off to the three-time MVP Wilson. Good movement here from
00:23:17Vegas. Plum, she got it. What a pretty possession from the defending champs.
00:23:28And a foul here on Colson trying to hang with Laney Hamilton at the post. Crisp, nice ball
00:23:35movement by Vegas. They go to the right side of the floor. Back to the left. Everyone touches the
00:23:40ball. Wide open look for Kelsey Plum. That's what you want to see. Quick decisions. The ball popping
00:23:46as Becky Hammond likes to say. Becky Hammond said she thought in game three her team had a great
00:23:51balance of playing fast but also being able to locate mismatches. Asia Wilson gets a breather,
00:24:00something she did not get in the first half of game three. Here's Vandersluis diving inside
00:24:06and gets the whistle on Plum. Kelsey Plum upset with the call. Her first, team's second in the
00:24:17second. Courtney Vandersluis just getting some dribble penetration. Plum there. Of course that's
00:24:25a foul. Plum isn't happy with it but she gets her with body and arm. And you mentioned Asia Wilson
00:24:31getting a sub which she didn't in game three. We're only about what 36 hours since game three?
00:24:38Hey keep up the playoff intensity in the WNBA app. Stay locked in with the latest scores,
00:24:43real-time highlights, on-court analysis, and behind-the-scenes stories all in one place. Scan
00:24:48the QR code now to download the WNBA app today. Right quick turnaround. Becky Hammond even pointed
00:24:54out, she said in game three something very rare happened. Jackie Young asked for a sub.
00:24:59So Jackie almost never asked for a sub. Becky took it as a great sign because that's the kind
00:25:04of exertion Jackie and her team was playing with on both ends of the floor. But obviously you play
00:25:10with that kind of force and you turn around as quickly as this and take a toll. A night game
00:25:17Thursday, a day game, noon local here, excuse me, Friday and noon local Sunday.
00:25:24That's the days of the week in Vegas. They get a little lost don't they?
00:25:28Coleson in the corner, airmails it, and Feebish the rebound back in with two fouls.
00:25:35Yonescu back in as well. Brianna Stewart gets a breather for New York.
00:25:39Vandersloot cuts in, can't plop it home, and then a foul on Vandersloot. Her second.
00:25:57Coleson checks out, Young back in. So Paul Young, Hayes, Gray, and Megan Gustafson for Las Vegas
00:26:04without one of their rotational key cogs. Kia Stokes suffered a concussion at game two.
00:26:13Oh my goodness what a pass. Gustafson lays it in. Chelsea Gray with a simply ridiculous dish.
00:26:22The hard hedge came. Chelsea Gray has seen that many times through her career and
00:26:27dished it beautifully. Hayes picks up her second.
00:26:31I mean the vision and her ability to wrap around one hand and just spin it.
00:26:37Beautiful, beautiful look. Solid finish by Gustafson. Right over J.J.'s hand.
00:26:48Just incredible. Yes.
00:26:53Chelsea Gray who has banged up for much of this season looking like her healthy
00:26:57self again in these playoffs. Here's Jones charging inside for the easy lay.
00:27:11Bump, gives it up to Young. Gray gets a clean look.
00:27:17Feebish the rebound. New York dodges a bullet there as Unescu was trying to hang with two
00:27:22on the perimeter. Here's Stewart back in after a brief breather.
00:27:28Wilson remains on the bench for Vegas.
00:27:32Vandersloot dumps it down just too tall. Out of bounds. We've seen that a few times from
00:27:37Courtney Vandersloot who's a very experienced point guard but there seems to be some rush
00:27:42sometimes on her post entries. Yes well you see the mismatch and you get so eager to get the ball
00:27:48and sometimes you have to settle in because there is a help side defender coming.
00:27:55Young cradles it over to Gray behind the back to Clark. Chelsea Gray is out here having fun.
00:28:03Plumb, one to shoot. First shot won't go.
00:28:08Jones the rebound, her fifth already. New York dominating the glass, a plus 9 in this first half.
00:28:16Big to big screen high again. Stewart sheds and lays, pussed a foul.
00:28:23A chance for three for Brianna Stewart just taking it to Alicia Clark. It's a tall task for
00:28:28a big, even one as versatile defensively as Alicia Clark. Comes off the screen, fights over it, tries
00:28:35to beat Stewie to the spot, can't do so. Screen, fights over. I mean Alicia Clark, this is good
00:28:42tough defense, just better offense. Those two won a couple of championships together in Seattle.
00:28:53Alicia Clark held Stewart to one of seven shooting in game four of the finals last year.
00:28:58The aces clincher but Stewart has had much more success against Clark in this series.
00:29:04Young, short, long rebound, Laney Hamilton. Off to Stewart, Wilson back in for the aces.
00:29:20Mid-range jumper is off. Wilson, her fifth rebound to go with five points in this first
00:29:29half and Wilson now brings it up the floor. Young gets blocked by Stewart. Stewart off and running.
00:29:34Ionescu gets it to her. Feebish, extra feed, knocked away by Gray. Feebish will take and hit
00:29:42from three. How about the confidence for Laoni Feebish and an 8-0 New York run.
00:29:49Feebish gets over the screen, remember she's playing with two fouls. Wilson the spin, Ionescu
00:30:00the deflection and Stewart's fouled by Gustafson. Great help side defense by Sabrina Ionescu there
00:30:08to save what would have been a layup by Asia Wilson.
00:30:10Goal, Sabrina Ionescu game log spiking 250% in the U.S. Let's take a listen in
00:30:21to Sabrina and Chelsea Gray sounds of the game.
00:30:25Come on, man. They're beating us at our game. Let's go. Good screen, Jay. KB. I know, get back. Yes, yes, yes, yes. Come on.
00:30:46Well, the New York Liberty on an 8-0 run in this second quarter and the aces already over
00:30:53the limit with 5.15 to go in the frame. Brianna Stewart at the line. Gray just the fourth
00:31:01player in league history, 300 career playoff assists. Stewart, a rare miss like that at
00:31:06the line as we check in with Brooke.
00:31:08Well, Chelsea Gray told me today that the component of a team with championship DNA
00:31:12is the ability to bounce back with few words when things don't go right. So the aces didn't
00:31:17need to say much Friday night and you can see that edge is carried into this same game
00:31:21today. Chelsea Gray being very vocal in the huddle and on the floor. And of course, Becky
00:31:25Hammond told us that Gray, she's just a different vibe.
00:31:29Thank you very much, Brooke, as Clark and Stewart get locked up.
00:31:35And are they going to call the foul on
00:31:43It's on Feebish and it's her third. That is a critical foul as Laomi Feebish
00:31:50has been instrumental in this game. And yeah, you could see, oh,
00:31:54dangerous for Stewart's ankle. But it was clearly a foul on Feebish busting through Clark.
00:32:02So now New York has to send Feebish to the bench. Kayla Thornton into the game.
00:32:09That's a big third foul. Can Vegas take advantage?
00:32:12Gray reverses. Wilson will fire.
00:32:17Short. And Stewart, who has been fantastic here in game four with her sixth rebound.
00:32:22Really good and quick ball movement by the Vegas aces, but equally good
00:32:27quickness by the New York Liberty defense.
00:32:29Jonquil Jones trying to save it. Thought she was fouled. It was not called.
00:32:35And now Sandy Brondello and Jonquil Jones get tripped up as Chelsea Gray lays it in.
00:32:42The officials will take a moment to clean up a wet spot on the floor. That was chaotic.
00:32:54JJ saves out of bounds. She's frustrated, but it was Sabrina who gave it a little tap and then
00:33:00seafoam on seafoam crime right there.
00:33:04Becky Hammond going to check on Sandy Brondello. Those two have history together with San Antonio
00:33:10back in 2007 to 2010.
00:33:21Sandy got up nicely from that, though, as Jonescu throws it right to Wilson.
00:33:26Opportunity for Vegas. Plumb gives it up. Wilson extra feed. Good recovery from New York.
00:33:35Gray twisting, taking. No. Marks the rebound. The shovel. Wilson flips it in. Timeout New York.
00:34:05It has not ever happened in this league's history that a team came back to win a series
00:34:10being down 2-0. But even more probably surprising is only one team even forced to game five,
00:34:19the 2018 Phoenix Mercury, and then it took that epic fourth quarter in game five for Seattle to
00:34:26still win the series. Lainey Hamilton off to Jonescu. Lainey Hamilton on the move inside of
00:34:36Young, lays it in. That's a strong take from Benijah Lainey Hamilton. And you see how far out
00:34:43she has to reach to get that finish over Asia Wilson's outstretched hand. Demish on the bench
00:34:49right now with three fouls. As Clark lays it in. Great delivery from Wilson. New York in this game,
00:34:55a minus 8 with Demish on the bench, a plus 14 with her on the floor. Jonescu gets denied by Wilson.
00:35:09You mentioned it earlier. This crowd responds to an Asia Wilson block like
00:35:14dunks in an NBA game. That was what Becky Hammond told us. This energized crowd here.
00:35:19Stewart wants it, has Plum on her. Jonescu can't get it to her. Now shovels to Lainey Hamilton.
00:35:29Her jumper will go. Plum the rebound. Stewart wanted the ball to go up top to
00:35:36Jonquil Jones so that she could deliver it in the high low. Wilson spinning. Wilson gets the whistle
00:35:45and that will be number two on Jonquil Jones as Asia Wilson will shoot two.
00:35:56Asia Wilson has quickness and quick ups and you see her here once again just using her hand to
00:36:02block the shot. Her arm rarely comes down. She puts herself in a position to get clean looks
00:36:08night after night. A historic season from Asia Wilson winning her third MVP.
00:36:15Unanimous, just the second unanimous MVP winner in league history. Cynthia Cooper the other.
00:36:23Wilson set the league record for most points per game,
00:36:28became the first player to ever lead the league in total points, total rebounds and total blocks.
00:36:35And yes, she's got some cool birch as well.
00:36:47Stewart coming back to the ball. Off to Jonescu. Plum all over for the shoot. Jonescu's runner,
00:36:57no good. Thornton the offensive rebound can't finish in a crowd and a tie up. Clark and Thornton
00:37:04will jump it up. Serena has to work so hard on that possession off the ball just cutting and
00:37:11moving and trying to get an open look. Still kind of had to settle late in the clock for that runner.
00:37:18Does New York need more looks for Stewart? Five of seven from the floor in this first half.
00:37:24I would think so. I mean she's been so good. They have to be careful though. They want to
00:37:28get her the ball but not force it in because we've seen at times when they have done that
00:37:32and it's been a turnover. Clark wins the tip. Here comes Wilson. New York has struggled since
00:37:39Feebish went to the bench with her third foul. Gray off to Clark. Matthew Young just one of seven
00:37:50from the floor in this first half. Dangerous pass there. They're going to call a foul if it's Jones.
00:37:56It's her third and it is. Number three on Jonquil Jones. Asia does a good job of stepping in and
00:38:05sealing. JJ tries to get around. Man with all the contact we have seen throughout this game.
00:38:12Oh it's the grab on the right side. Okay that's the right call. And if you're Jonquil Jones you
00:38:16just have to be smarter than that. Yeah. Playing with two fouls that's an easy call to see. So now
00:38:23Jones and Feebish both on the bench with three for New York. JJ's third foul in game three at
00:38:30the end of the second quarter was also you know just one that wasn't particularly smart.
00:38:36Can Vegas take advantage? Looking to force a game five Tuesday. Plum wiggles, takes, that's it.
00:38:52The New York lead has been shaved down to two.
00:38:55Plum up to 12. Stewart surrounded, no call. Ginescu great look.
00:39:03Thornton a wide open three. Back ironed and off. Clark the rebound.
00:39:12Plum the flip inside and a foul called against New York is going to send Wilson to the line.
00:39:25Boy Rebecca I know it's automatic usually you pick up that third foul in the first half that player
00:39:38goes to the bench. Only 108 to go left in this quarter now but any second guessing that decision
00:39:45from New York with Feebish knowing how much this game has turned. Well I think you have to remember
00:39:50that Leonie Feebish as a rookie early in this season her biggest issue was getting into foul
00:39:55trouble and trying to stay on the floor and work through that. She has gotten much better but there
00:40:00might not be that level of trust with a young player that they can play out the stretch and
00:40:05not pick up another foul. Feebish a plus 14 in this game. So you do the math. Vegas has outscored
00:40:13New York by 13 in the limited minutes Feebish has been on the bench. Here's Stewart. One point game
00:40:217-0 Vegas run. Stewart difficult shot can't get it to go. Gray. Off to Plum wide open. Back iron no.
00:40:33Another chance for Vegas. Knocked away by Ginescu she comes over to Steele. Running with Laney
00:40:42Hamilton and Laney Hamilton unable to finish the layup. Stewart's tip is good. Laney Hamilton looked
00:40:50like she didn't get the lift that she normally would when she went up with the shot. She's been
00:40:55laboring in these playoffs after having knee surgery in July. Really can only play in four to
00:41:02five minute spurts. 11 second difference game and shot clock. Plum looking for Vandersleuth.
00:41:12Missed the layup. Ginescu off the tip from Stewart. Eight seconds left in the half. Ginescu
00:41:21the crossover. The give. Vandersleuth the drive. Stewart the runner. Won't go.
00:41:28And Brianna Stewart saying why are you passing that? Shoot that, Sabrina. As the half comes to
00:41:33a close with New York leading by three. Sabrina Ginescu 12 first quarter points. A three point
00:41:43lead. WNBA halftime presented by State Farm coming up with Eldrea N. Chenay. And Brooke
00:41:51is with Brianna Stewart. Brianna every field goal attempt has come with a lot of work. Give
00:41:57us a sense of how physical it is out here. Yeah, I mean it's a playoff so it's going to be physical.
00:42:04Nothing I'm not used to, but we got to continue to play through it, especially on the other end.
00:42:08You know, all boards is killing us for now. How do you adjust with John Quayle and Leonie
00:42:12in foul trouble? We have a defense, you know, our depth is something that's really important
00:42:16to our team and next woman at mentality and they're going to be ready for the second.
00:42:20All right, thanks, Sabrina. All right, Brooke. Well, Brianna Stewart, 15 points, nine rebounds
00:42:27in that first half. New York trying to end the series today. A three point lead.
00:42:33State Farm halftime coming up. Eldrea N. Chenay.
00:42:37ABC's coverage of the 2024 WNBA playoffs presented by Google is brought to you by.
00:42:54Third quarter of game four. New York a 2-1 series lead in these best of five semis
00:42:59and a three point lead over the two time defending champion aces. Taking a look at our
00:43:04leading scorers, Brianna Stewart, Sabrina Onescu, both very efficient. Kelsey Plumb,
00:43:09Asia Wilson, getting it done for the aces as we welcome you courtside once again,
00:43:14Ryan Rucco alongside the Hall of Famer, Rebecca Lobo. Rebecca, just your impressions of that
00:43:19first half. Both coaches have to be really pleased with their team's toughness and intensity on both
00:43:24ends of the floor. Energy certainly is there. How about something you're looking for from either
00:43:29team in this second half? New York needs to do a better job taking care of the basketball.
00:43:33Vegas had 12 points off of turnovers and if you're Vegas, you would like to see Jackie
00:43:38Young get going offensively. Jackie Young in that first half, one of seven from the floor. Meanwhile,
00:43:44to your point about ball protection, New York, seven turnovers in the first half. Vegas turned
00:43:50it over just two times. Las Vegas, best in the league this season when it came to protecting
00:43:58the basketball number one in offensive turnover percentages. We chat now with Becky Hammond,
00:44:02coach. What's the biggest point of emphasis for your group here, season on the line,
00:44:06second half starting? I thought we eventually got to where we were playing hard enough. I don't
00:44:10think we took a second to wake up. Play the defensive end of the floor and we got a rebound.
00:44:15They're absolutely pounding us on the glass and you want to win, you want your season to stay
00:44:20alive, then you got a rebound. Can you attack her in any way, try to get her to pick up another one
00:44:27here early? She's pretty crafty and smart. We're going to put people in action, but we want the
00:44:34ball to find the mismatch naturally. Thanks a lot, coach. Here's Feebish firing away. Can't
00:44:41get the three. So Feebish and Jonquil Jones, both with three fouls for New York as we begin
00:44:48this second half. Wilson on the attack, cutting through and taking it home.
00:44:55Smart. Ganesha Wilson going to her strong left hand, attacking Jonquil Jones,
00:45:00and why you mentioned, has the three fouls. Jones not picked up and drains the three.
00:45:10Eight points now for Jones. Becky Hammond talked about the glass. New York a plus 11
00:45:16rebounding advantage. Wilson dishes out. Clark's three, missed it. And Laney Hamilton the board.
00:45:26Ganesha at 12 in the first, did not score in the second. Jones on the move inside,
00:45:32whips it out of bounds. That's what you're talking about, Rebecca, the unforced turnover
00:45:38New York's eighth of the game. And it's exquisite when big players don't make mistakes and do
00:45:43things like driving all the way to the bucket or stepping into a three like we saw J.J. the
00:45:48prior possession. 11 points for Wilson, five rebounds. Here's Wilson back to work. That's
00:45:54too easy. Asia Wilson just cutting right to the cup. Alicia Clark set a little screen and there
00:46:01was no resistance from the New York defense. Here's Stewart, guarded by Clark, trying to back
00:46:08her down. Clark did a nice job hanging there.
00:46:12Janescu backs away, dumps it in. Look out, knocked away. A steal from Gray. Here's Plum.
00:46:22Wilson back to work. Asia Wilson cannot finish it.
00:46:30Already two turnovers in the corner for New York.
00:46:33Laney Hamilton barges in. Lost it. Stewart has it. And drains the free throw jumper.
00:46:43Brianna Stewart, 17 points, 10 rebounds on seven of 12 shooting.
00:46:51And if you're John Quill Jones, you just can't do that when you have three fouls.
00:46:57If you run out on a hard hedge and body into a guard, it's going to be called a foul every time.
00:47:02That's number four on John Quill Jones.
00:47:04It was a double drag and she was the second defender. So she goes, just go back. Just go
00:47:10back. You're long enough that you can make Jackie Young use an extra dribble to get by.
00:47:16So Jones to the bench now with four personals. How does New York handle it?
00:47:21Kennedy Burke into the game. Kayla Thornton struggled in that first half as Wilson's pass
00:47:28just a little too tall for Alicia Clark.
00:47:36One of the points of emphasis Sandy Brondello brought up to us before the game was
00:47:40John Quill Jones playing smartly, being aware of those fouls.
00:47:46Bebich dumps it down. Stewart off to Yonescu a deep three. That is good.
00:47:55Sabrina Yonescu four for four from downtown in game four. New York lead is seven.
00:48:07Liberty trying to punch their ticket to the finals today.
00:48:10Aces trying to force a game five Tuesday and Chelsea Gray has been bringing the heat all
00:48:16afternoon. Yonescu the crossover. Defense collapses and a charge is called as New York
00:48:27turns it over again. Second personal on Yonescu.
00:48:31See Sabrina Yonescu setting screens to get other teammates open and then it results in
00:48:37her getting a good look herself.
00:48:41But on this end we saw it in game three as well. Chelsea Gray stepping in, taking a big charge.
00:48:46She reads that as well as anyone. Will end in this series as the primary defender.
00:48:52Gray has held her opponents to 26% shooting from the floor.
00:48:58For the playoffs she's number one in that category at 29%.
00:49:02Here's Hayes. Over to Gray.
00:49:06Oh, Gray in her bag. Dumps it down. Stolen by Stewart.
00:49:12Rare turnover for the Aces. Laney Hamilton can't hit the three.
00:49:19Burke the rebound in some trouble and Pope takes it away.
00:49:23Fourth turnover of the quarter for New York.
00:49:26And just a give foul there for Burke.
00:49:36Gray to Stewart. We talked about having the primary assignment on
00:49:39Plum where she can also roam and help. Reads the pass beautifully.
00:49:44Able to steal it. Plum short on a three.
00:49:48Burke, Laney Hamilton, Stewart, Feebish and Yonescu are the five for New York.
00:49:54Clark, Wilson, Plum, Hayes and Gray for Las Vegas.
00:50:00And that's going to be a foul on Plum. She was all over Yonescu.
00:50:06Second personal on Plum. And the first team foul on Las Vegas.
00:50:14Two team fouls thus far in New York. Liberty got to the bonus at the 5'15 mark
00:50:20but did not get to the line after that. Yonescu through the lane.
00:50:28Kicks it out. Burke can't hit the three.
00:50:31Stewart trying to keep it alive. But Clark did a nice job fending her off.
00:50:38Here's Hayes. Loose handle.
00:50:42Gets it back. Hayes dumps it.
00:50:45Wilson finishes.
00:50:48Tiffany Hayes and Kelsey Plum both are so good. Dribble penetration, getting into the paint
00:50:53and using the defensive rotation to create looks for their teammates.
00:50:5715 points for Asia Wilson. Plum hawking Yonescu. Yonescu is being fouled.
00:51:05Kelsey Plum fouling Yonescu on the ground before any jump ball.
00:51:09And that is going to be number three on Kelsey Plum who was getting away with a lot of contact
00:51:14throughout the possession. Oh, you think something's on the line today?
00:51:22Vegas wants to be physical. They want to defend and they're coming after it here.
00:51:30ABC's coverage of the 2024 WNBA playoffs presented by Google is brought to you by
00:51:37Royal Caribbean. Come Seek. So you can enjoy the ride for everything you care about.
00:51:43Intact insurance. Welcome back. We're getting a look at Bigelow
00:51:48Vulture Arena from Google Immersive View in Google Maps, which you can use to explore
00:51:53places and routes or explore Asia Wilson's routes to the cup.
00:51:56Concerted efforts to get Asia Wilson involved at the beginning of this third quarter.
00:52:01Only seven field goal attempts in the first half. Already has four here.
00:52:05Going to a strong left hand, finishing beautifully.
00:52:07She's just so consistent. Game in, game out. As Stewart gets fouled by Hayes.
00:52:14That will be number three on Tiffany Hayes. And that will be the third team foul on the Aces.
00:52:24Jonquil Jones on the wall with Plum, Hayes, Wilson and Young.
00:52:29The Liberty have Stewart, Yonescu, Burke, Thornton and Laney Hamilton.
00:52:34Here's Stewart attacking Wilson. Great defense there from Asia Wilson.
00:52:43Five to shoot. Thornton's three. Off the mark.
00:52:49Aces down four.
00:52:56Young leads in and gets the whistle. Jackie Young will shoot too.
00:53:04Laney Hamilton's second personal.
00:53:06Asia Wilson, we talked about what an elite defender she is. She strings,
00:53:10helps and then just able to move her feet, contain Brand as Stewart
00:53:16just starts with great help side and then on ball defense as well.
00:53:22Young misses the free throw. Aces nine for 13 from the line now.
00:53:28Yonescu will get a breather. Vandersloot in. 243 to go in this third.
00:53:35New York a 51-47 lead. The Aces trying to become just the second team
00:53:40to fall behind 2-0 in a series and force a game five. The Mercury the other back in 2018.
00:53:48No team has come back to win a best of five series when falling behind 2-0.
00:53:53Stewart will fire. Around and off. Rebound Hayes.
00:54:00Vegas in the bonus here. Two and a half to go in the third. Gustavsson's three.
00:54:08And Vandersloot the rebound.
00:54:11Great box out by Benajza Laney Hamilton against Tiff Hayes.
00:54:14Here's Stewart. Leaning jumper. One goal. Stewart tips it alive and Vandersloot.
00:54:21Courtney Vandersloot almost looked like she was going to let it go out of bounds for a moment
00:54:25and then realized no I have to grab that and couldn't get to it.
00:54:31Stewie couldn't corral it so she tipped it. See she pulled her hands back.
00:54:35And you saw her then say a word that was four letters and then her name.
00:54:43It was like shirt.
00:54:45Uh-huh. Here's Hayes. Deflected. Vandersloot going to keep this one in bounds. As numbers.
00:54:54Stewart gets denied. Asia Wilson there and then a foul on Stewart with New York over the limit.
00:55:03What a highlight. New York going end-to-end. Asia Wilson back. It's three-on-one.
00:55:09Gets the beautiful, beautiful block.
00:55:16Incredible rejection from Wilson. Now is this a foul on Stewart?
00:55:22Oh no. Looks like she hits ball. New York elects not to challenge.
00:55:27As Wilson hits the first. See the foul one more time, Rebecca. It's the end of the play.
00:55:38Yeah, I think she hits her on the arm. Okay.
00:55:41Wilson goes one for two. The Aces missing some opportunities in the line now.
00:55:45No, that was a big problem for them in game two. They missed seven free throws.
00:55:49They're 11-2.
00:55:51Vandersloot in traffic. Held up and a travel.
00:56:09We saw how intense and swarming Vegas' defense was in game three.
00:56:14Here, surrounded by three. Questioning if it was a travel? Not sure. Travel or a jump.
00:56:22Five turnovers in the quarter for New York. 12 in the game. Here's Wilson giving it up.
00:56:30Gustafson travels herself as the Aces with a rare turnover.
00:56:37New York trying to get to the fourth quarter with Jones and Feebish on the bench.
00:56:43Becky Hammond and the Aces trying to get to Tuesday.
00:57:07Laney Hamilton. Seven to shoot. Gives it up in the corner. Vandersloot
00:57:19short on a three. Wilson gobbles up her eighth rebound.
00:57:26Aces down two.
00:57:27Glover three. Short. Gustafson knocks it out of bounds.
00:57:36New York basketball with 40.7 remaining in the quarter.
00:57:43A two for one opportunity here for New York.
00:57:46Aces have won 12 straight home playoff games. A WNBA record.
00:58:02Vandersloot takes the jumper and hits. Also executes the two for one.
00:58:07Vegas goes behind screens with Courtney Vandersloot. She needs to have the confidence to
00:58:11step into those. Hayes gets fouled by Burke.
00:58:20The call on Vandersloot, her third.
00:58:27How can the Aces take advantage of the line? Vandersloot with three.
00:58:31Laney Hamilton with three. Four for Jones. Four for Feebish.
00:58:37Three on Plum, three on Hayes for Las Vegas. And that free throw gets a friendly roll.
00:58:44And the NBA preseason on ESPN tips off tonight. On ESPN, Pistons hosting the Bucs at 8 Eastern.
00:58:53Just a slight difference game and shot clock here. New York will be able to essentially hold for one
00:59:00essentially hold for one as Hayes hits both.
00:59:05Ionescu back in for this final offensive possession.
00:59:14No free throws in the corner for New York.
00:59:20Here's Ionescu setting the scream. Vandersloot gets it back to her.
00:59:24Sabrina's three blocked. Stewart gets a hand on it. Nothing more.
00:59:29Young's he...
00:59:31It's good! Jackie Young from 50. Sends game four to the fourth.
00:59:40Did not get it off in time. This three, which would have given Vegas its first lead since it
01:00:02was a three to two game, will come off the board. Asia Wilson is with Brooke.
01:00:10Asia, just 10 minutes away from sending a game five to New York. What needs to happen for your
01:00:14team to get there? Continue to be just locked in on the defensive end. They are a team that
01:00:19goes on a lot of runs and they can sometimes break you. We just gotta... We can bend,
01:00:22but we can't break. We just gotta stay disciplined on the defensive end and everything else will
01:00:26follow soon. Thank you. Asia Wilson, 16 points, eight rebounds. Jackie Young's half court heathed
01:00:35this close to counting, but in her hands,
01:00:38so will not count. And New York will have a two point lead in the fourth quarter of game four.
01:00:50Watch under! Under! Come on, Black! That's the run! That's it! That was the run! We're fine!
01:01:00Moved it, Asia got an open shot like, have more of those, we'll knock it down.
01:01:07The start of the fourth quarter in Las Vegas. Game four, New York a 2-1 series lead in these
01:01:12best of five semis. And for the Liberty, Brianna Stewart, Sabrina Yonescu have gotten it done.
01:01:18The rest of the team has struggled offensively.
01:01:22Naomi Phoebus, Jean-Claude Jones, both on the floor to begin the fourth with four fouls.
01:01:26Asia Wilson, 16 points, doing her usual work. Kelsey Plum did not score in the third
01:01:33at 12 in the first half. How about a key or two for you in this fourth? Well, for New York,
01:01:39one of the biggest ones is taking care of the basketball. When Vegas has gone on runs,
01:01:42New York has helped facilitate that with their turnovers. Yonescu, Van Der Sloot, Phoebus,
01:01:49Jones, and Stewart for New York. Wilson, Young, Plum, Hayes, and Gray for Las Vegas.
01:01:56Here's Yonescu, Van Der Sloot, trying to get it into Jones, cannot. Yonescu, four to shoot,
01:02:03doesn't have much doing. Yonescu has to force it up, and a shot clock violation on the opening
01:02:09possession. Good defense there from Las Vegas. New York was trying to look inside to get Jean-Claude
01:02:15Jones the basketball, and Asia Wilson simply denied her. There was no avenue to pass the ball
01:02:21inside. It was stuck on the left side of the floor, the whole possession. Great defense. That's
01:02:26what you want if you're Vegas. Yonescu was four for four in the first quarter, is one for six since.
01:02:35Here's Hayes, guarded by Stewart. Young cuts in, whips out. Gray missed it badly.
01:02:46Vegas has not led since it was three to two early in the first.
01:02:52Had some chances in the third, and now in the fourth. Yonescu lays it in on another beautiful
01:02:58delivery from Phoebus. Terrific back screen, the way Kelsey Plum is defending Sabrina Yonescu.
01:03:02They got her with the screen, and it led to the easy two. Four-point New York lead. Hayes
01:03:09has it taken away by Vandersloot. Here comes New York with numbers. Stewart the dime,
01:03:15and Phoebus the lay. Timeout Las Vegas. Good start to the fourth for New York.
01:03:25New York sets a great back screen by Jean-Claude Jones that frees up Sabrina Yonescu in the
01:03:31quarter court, and then they get out in transition. Stewie dropping the dime to Phoebus.
01:03:41ABC's coverage of the 2024 WNBA playoffs is presented by Google Pixel, the only phone
01:03:48engineered by Google. In part by Google, Jason Sudeikis with our colleague Rene Stubbs in court
01:03:55side. You know what his sign, believe, has been held up by some different Aces fans here in the
01:04:00building. They are looking to manufacture a game five Tuesday night. New York looking to end these
01:04:06semis here today. Plum a three. Missed it. Great look there for Plum, who still has not scored in
01:04:13the second half. Same set as earlier when Asia Wilson was able to come off and drive the lane.
01:04:18That time she made the right decision. Plum was open. Phoebus and Jones both with four fouls.
01:04:23Here's Yonescu. Finds Jones. Stagnant possession. Five to shoot. Stewart might have to put it up.
01:04:32Two to shoot. Stewart elevates. Can't hit. Rebound Wilson. Phoebus is a plus 20 in 20 minutes in
01:04:41this game. Plum dances free and lays it in. Plum is the player who never gets tired.
01:04:50Plays at such an accelerated pace. Always working. Vandersluid with the answer.
01:05:01And remember, blow-bys have at times been an Achilles heel for the Vegas Aces in this series.
01:05:07Plum again gets fouled by Stewart. And right away, Breanna Stewart says,
01:05:13wait, we need to challenge that. The New York bench taking a look.
01:05:20That is not a foul. And New York,
01:05:29you see anything that makes you think it's a foul?
01:05:30I think Stewie gets her hand on the basketball.
01:05:33So New York challenging the foul call on Stewart.
01:05:36The call on the floor is a foul on Breanna Stewart. New York is taking a timeout to challenge.
01:05:41This is a successful challenge for New York. Breanna Stewart jars the ball loose and then
01:05:53there's marginal contact after she's already shaken the ball loose on the arm. It's a
01:06:00successful challenge. New York retains its challenge for the remainder of this game.
01:06:08And Becky Hammond upset with the call being overturned.
01:06:12Meanwhile, it will still be Vegas basketball underneath them.
01:06:19Oh, they're going to call it a jump ball.
01:06:22Jonquil Jones and Aja Wilson will jump it up at center court.
01:06:44And it's Vegas who wins possession.
01:06:487.25 to go. Fourth quarter of game four. New York a six-point lead and a 2-1 series
01:06:54edge in this best-of-five semifinals. Pass behind Young, back to Plum.
01:07:01Plum dives in and gets denied by Stewart. Kept it inbounds.
01:07:09By the way, it was ruled the ball was not imminently out of bounds. That's why they
01:07:13jumped it up after that successful challenge. Here's Stewart. Wide open three. In and out.
01:07:23She's had some good looks. End of third, beginning of fourth. They just haven't dropped.
01:07:31Gray, hit her, pat her. No. Stewart wants it in the post on Clark.
01:07:41Off to Feebish. Back to Stewart. Good denial from Plum. Not allowing Unescu a touch.
01:07:51Vandersloot serves it in with the left hand. Big buckets in the fourth from Courtney Vandersloot.
01:08:01Eight-point New York lead. Young, mid-range. No.
01:08:07It's only Jackie Young's first field goal attempt here in the second half.
01:08:13She is one for eight. She's not looked like herself.
01:08:17After 24 in game three, Unescu dropping through the lane. Denied by Wilson.
01:08:25How about the shot blocking from Aja Wilson and Brianna Stewart in this game?
01:08:30Fifth block for Wilson. She's been a menace on the defensive end of the floor.
01:08:35What a luxury for her guards if they get beat and she still saves the possession.
01:08:41Unescu gets free and connects from deep. Her fifth three of the day.
01:08:53Largest lead of the game for the New York Liberty. A 7-0 run here in the fourth. The cushion is 11.
01:09:02We've seen some moments in this game where the New York Liberty showed frustration,
01:09:06especially at the end of the second quarter. They've talked all year long how they are a
01:09:11more mature team this year. How they can step up and make big plays, don't get rattled like
01:09:19they did a season ago. This is one of them. Gets blocked, then drains the three.
01:09:2420 points for Sabrina Unescu after a game three where she did not score until the fourth.
01:09:37Where she had just seven field goal attempts, her fewest since game one of the finals a year ago.
01:09:42And Rebecca, her stick-to-itiveness and poise, a microcosm of what you're talking about from
01:09:50the team at large here in 2024 compared to 2023. And especially with the way Vegas has focused so
01:09:56much defensive energy and intensity at Sabrina Unescu. They have been very physical with her
01:10:05and yet still able to bounce back from that tough performance in the last game.
01:10:10Remember, it was here in Vegas where Sabrina Unescu set the three-point contest record,
01:10:17drilling 20 in a row with her viral sensation of a performance.
01:10:24Aces season on the line here with 5.40 to go in the fourth quarter of game four.
01:10:307-0 New York run. Wilson out to gray. Clark and Plum jumbled up in the corner.
01:10:38Here's Wilson trying to make something happen. Young handed the three.
01:10:43Feebish the rebound. New York has got good minutes here with Vandersloot rather than
01:10:52Laney Hamilton with the other four starters. Stewart gets fouled.
01:11:03Alicia Clark picks up her third. The first team foul on Vegas in this fourth. New York
01:11:11without a team foul thus far in the fourth quarter.
01:11:18Hayes, Plum, gray. Wilson and Clark on the floor for Las Vegas as Young takes a seat.
01:11:28Vandersloot kicks it out. Jones a three. You bet.
01:11:33The lead is 14. A 10-0 New York run.
01:11:43And a foul here is it on Jones or Vandersloot as Plum and Jones
01:11:48hang a little longer. If it's Jones, it will be her fifth.
01:11:51Jones and Feebish have been able to navigate up until this point of the fourth without
01:12:03picking up number five. Jones stays on the floor with five fouls.
01:12:10Plum gets free. Her three. Off the mark. Rebound Clark. Another chance for Las Vegas.
01:12:17New York zoning up now on this possession. A way to try to protect the player in foul
01:12:22trouble. Wilson somehow got back to that ball. Hayes can't hit. And a push off on Plum.
01:12:29Her fourth New York ball. Vegas has had some great looks for three. How about this, Rebecca?
01:12:36They are now four for 26 from deep on the day. And you wonder if some of that is fatigue in
01:12:43their legs after the energy they were exerting in game three from start to finish, both ends of
01:12:48the floor. Aces just one of 11 from the floor in this quarter. They've missed their last eight
01:12:55three-point attempts. Vandersloot needs some help. Jones deep inside. How about Chelsea Gray
01:13:04again? She's so good. It's an uncanny knack she has for timing tie-ups. And a jump with Jones
01:13:12to Gray. She comes in from the top. The pass is made. Chelsea Gray right there just waiting.
01:13:19Gets in there and swarms. I would not want to fight her for a toy in the playroom.
01:13:27That's Lennox at home. Seven months old. Stewart with space. Short. Feebish back to the line but
01:13:36just a haze. Stewart, 19 points, 12 rebounds. Has gone cold from the floor of late but playing
01:13:42a terrific all-around game. Stewart also five assists, three blocks to go with her 13 rebounds
01:13:50and 19 points. 3.45 to go in game four. Jones alone. Back iron, no. Feebish gets fouled.
01:14:06And Leonie Feebish will shoot two. Really nice ball movement. That possession by the New York
01:14:13Liberty. Driving right, throwing it out left. Watch Leonie Feebish. She was in the deep left
01:14:20corner and she still got in there to get that offensive board. That's just Martin Hussle.
01:14:26Leonie Feebish, personnel-wise, is the biggest difference for the New York Liberty from a season
01:14:33ago. You talk to any member of the Aces and they glow about Leonie Feebish. How impactful she is
01:14:42on both sides of the floor. Look at her plus-minus tonight. She's been number one in that category
01:14:48throughout these playoffs. And this is a player that told us she would not be here, would not
01:14:54have stayed in the country if it wasn't for her friendship with Niara Sabaly. Her adjustment to
01:14:59the states and to the WNBA was really tough in the beginning. And because she came so close to
01:15:04the start of the season, she worried that she might get cut because she said my game is not
01:15:10one where I make an instant impression. I'm not going to score 15 points in five minutes.
01:15:15But the Liberty knew what they had. Jonathan Kolb, their GM, had wanted her for a while,
01:15:20made a great trade where he got her as well as a pick swap from Phoenix. And Feebish has proven to
01:15:26be the difference for New York thus far in this series from a year ago. And when you see her,
01:15:30this is a perimeter player, a guard who is 6'4", has length, makes the right plays and the right
01:15:38decisions. Even that offensive board run, she was in that deep left corner and just hustled
01:15:43to get herself into the rim. 16-point New York lead, 12-0 run.
01:15:58Klum finally gets one to drop from deep.
01:16:05Vegas had gone four and a half minutes without a field goal.
01:16:09Klum's first three since the first half. Gonescu draws a crowd.
01:16:17Gonescu, New York's lead is 13. Stewart, elevates, can't hit. Wilson the rebound,
01:16:26still time for Vegas here. A little under three minutes to go. Feebish the steal,
01:16:33here she is, the only Feebish to the cup.
01:16:40This outstanding defense, active arms. She told us how she had a coach in youth basketball who
01:16:45insisted she keep her arms up on the defensive end, gets the huge play there. The 6'4'' guard
01:16:51who can defend one through five. Stewart's fourth block and New York starting to taste it.
01:16:58A reminder, game 4 Minnesota-Connecticut coming up 5 Eastern on ESPN. Feebish.
01:17:13Gonescu finds Feebish, extra feed, Jones, connects. Barbecue sauce.
01:17:28Wilson banks in a three as Vegas looking to keep breathing in these final minutes. The lead is 15.
01:17:46Feebish nearly came up with another steal. 1.22 to go. Now New York will take a time out.
01:18:1012-point New York lead. Sixth straight from Vegas, 1.19 to go in the fourth. Let's flash
01:18:18back to Sabrina Gonescu in Las Vegas, summer of 2023. Put on a performance for the ages,
01:18:27made 20 straight threes. A record-smashing three-point contest that captured the excitement
01:18:39of the entire nation. Today, she shot it like that from three in game four. She's had such
01:18:45quick catches and releases on the shot, stepping in with incredible confidence. Many of her looks
01:18:52able to hit them even when she's contested as we take a listen in to Sabrina Gonescu's
01:18:56sounds of the game. Well, Sabrina Gonescu, 20 points, seven rebounds, five of eight from deep.
01:19:18And the two-time defending champions have scored six straight, but on the ropes,
01:19:24trailing by 12. Gonescu's third playoff game with five or more threes,
01:19:30all other members of the Liberty franchise history with three combined.
01:19:37So Vegas obviously going to apply some full-court pressure here.
01:19:42Certainly, New York will want to get the ball into the hands of Sabrina Gonescu,
01:19:45their best free-throw shooter, best ball handler.
01:19:51Into Vandersloot. You talk about turnovers being key in this sport. New York has not
01:19:56turned it over in this final frame. Gonescu, the runner, she's fouled, and Sabrina Gonescu
01:20:08will shoot two. It is not easy to three-peat. There's a reason why
01:20:19no one has done it since the Comets blasted into this league with four straight titles.
01:20:26The Aces, under Becky Hammond, champions her first two seasons.
01:20:32On the cusp of being eliminated in game four of these semis.
01:20:47Gonescu with 22 points in game four after just four in game three.
01:20:53We're going to close out the Aces.
01:21:08A reminder, Minnesota-Connecticut game four coming up next on ESPN.
01:21:13Game one of the finals will be Thursday night on ESPN. And as long as the Liberty hold on,
01:21:21it'll take place at Barclays Center. Let's listen in to Sandy Brondella.
01:21:24We can be ready to switch a lot of strings because they're all slow.
01:21:27Yeah, Sabrina's on the ball. Hey, even if Aja's there. Even if Aja's there. No, hey,
01:21:33they may run LA. They may run Phoenix. They may run some Hema. But tap in. So be ready for
01:21:40everything. Come together and switch at the point of the string. We did it. They're going to have
01:21:44to foul us. Be smart. Let's go. As we wind towards the close of game four, Rebecca,
01:21:54we have to give a massive shout out to our crew who was here at 2 in the morning setting up for
01:22:01this broadcast after an Iron Maiden concert last night forced everything out of the building. Just
01:22:08remarkable stamina from the best in the business who make this presentation possible.
01:22:13Inbound to Clark. Here's Young. Great ATO for Becky Hammond.
01:22:22Stewart secures the rebound. Under a minute to go. Vegas backs off. The New York Liberty
01:22:32on their way to the finals.
01:22:34Sabrina Yonescu will not take a shot. With under 40 to go.
01:22:49Aja Wilson's historic season unlike any we have ever seen in this league's history
01:22:57ends tonight in Vegas. The three-time MVP with a year for the ages.
01:23:12But there will be a new champion in 2024.
01:23:16Jackie Young will hang on to it. Rihanna Stewart, Aja Wilson, two all-time greats.
01:23:21Still so squarely in their prime. So much respect for one another. Hug it out.
01:23:31A heated rivalry. But true, genuine respect between these coaches and these players. 11 seconds
01:23:39remain on the clock. Stewart will inbound it.
01:23:53And the New York Liberty have knocked off the Las Vegas Aces.
01:23:59The Liberty are headed back to the WNBA finals.
01:24:09Game one, Thursday night. From Barkley Center, Connie Espien.
01:24:25Talked about the New York Liberty's maturity from a season ago to this year.
01:24:29And it has shined through throughout the course of the playoffs in this series, in this game.
01:24:35Vegas making runs. New York able to answer. Jason Sudeikis and the Liberty could celebrate.
01:24:46One of the finalists is set. The New York Liberty will host game one Thursday on ESPN.
01:24:52Will it be the Lynx or the Sun who join them? Stewie and Sabrina are with Brooke.
01:25:00Stewie, your team is now three wins away from the first championship in franchise history.
01:25:05But you had to beat a very good Vegas team fighting hard to go down. What was the biggest
01:25:10challenge in this game? I mean, it's Vegas. Everybody knows, you know, we're going to get
01:25:14their best shot. And matching up with them, there's a ton of respect on both sides. But
01:25:19they got us last year. We wanted to make sure that we continue to go on, get back to the finals,
01:25:23and take care of what we didn't do last year. Your team held the lead for almost the entire
01:25:28game versus a ton of lead changes in game three. What was the difference there?
01:25:32I mean, we were being smart. We obviously watched the film. Game three was ugly. We
01:25:35wanted to make sure that we came back. And we went back to New York with this win. We don't
01:25:39want to play another game in New York until it's the finals. And you mentioned how important and
01:25:43how deep your bench was. What was the difference for them in this game? They came in, they were
01:25:47aggressive. You know, whatever, whenever their number was called, KB, KT, Sloot came in, give
01:25:52us big boards, whatever the case is, and made sure that, you know, we had energy throughout
01:25:56the entire time. All right. Thank you so much. Sabrina, what a game for you. You know, coming
01:26:01off a game three where you had four points, you were not able to get a lot of looks. You said you
01:26:05wanted to start the game strong, aggressive, and get downhill. How would you say your performance
01:26:09was? Well, we won, so I think it was pretty good. But to be honest, just continuing to be aggressive,
01:26:15and it's a series for a reason. So just continuing to learn and grow and be the best that I can for
01:26:20my team on any given night. You're on the verge of clinching a franchise first championship for
01:26:25your team. What type of components need to go in your DNA to get that win? Well, we haven't done
01:26:29anything yet. I think we all understand that. We want to come out and continue to be the best team
01:26:35like we have been all year, and we're three wins away, and that's really important to understand.
01:26:38We got to come out, and we got to punch because nothing's been given to us yet. And how about the
01:26:42way you guys manage the basketball today? Just really, just the late fourth quarter turnover
01:26:47off the shot clock possession. Yeah, I mean, we just continue to chip away. Basketball is a game
01:26:51of runs, and we knew they were going to go on their run. I mean, they're an incredible team,
01:26:54and so we continue to just stay together, and I think that paid off in the end. All right. Thank
01:26:58you so much. Thank you. All right. Sabrina Onescu, a huge game. Let's take a listen in to Sabrina
01:27:03Onescu's sound to the game. We're not done yet. We're not done yet. Let's go. No, they are not.
01:27:15Game one of the finals. Thursday night from Brooklyn on ESPN for our producer Ian Gruca,
01:27:22our director Adam Bryant. For Brooke, for the Hall of Famer Rebecca Lobo, I'm Ryan Rucco.
01:27:28Liberty win it 76-62 to win this semifinal series in four games. Tune over to ESPN right now.
01:27:34Game four, Minnesota, Connecticut, and we will see you for the finals Thursday night on ESPN.