Liberty Follow Jonquel Jones’s Lead to Take Game 3

The Liberty were playing for pride in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals. And with the season on the line, New York showed up. Buoyed by an electric home crowd, the Liberty took down the Aces, 86–73, fending off what would've been a humiliating sweep at the hands of their West Coast rivals.

Both teams have emphasized the importance of stepping on the gas early, but it was New York that came out swinging after getting punched in the mouth by Las Vegas in Games 1 and 2. Sandy Brondello’s squad turned up the defensive intensity, a point of emphasis for the coach, forcing four early Aces’ turnovers. The stops translated to transition buckets, boosting a New York offense that has been in need of some confidence. Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu each drained a pair of threes in the first quarter, while Courtney Vandersloot hit one from beyond the arc, staking their claim on the game early.

While New York struggled to find a rhythm in Games 1 and 2, Jones was “the only one that was being consistent,” her coach said. 

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