The New York Liberty are still alive.
Facing elimination in the 2023 WNBA Finals, the Liberty defeated the Las Vegas Aces, avoiding a series sweep with an 87-73 in Game 3.
The Liberty lost the first two games of the best-of-five championship series but rebounded with a victory in front of a sold-out crowd at Barclays Center. So far, the Finals have mirrored the regular-season series between the two superteams, as Las Vegas and New York each won the two games on their home courts.
The teams will play Game 4 at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday in New York. If necessary, Game 5 will be held at 9 p.m. ET Friday in Las Vegas.
Star center Jonquel Jones led the way for New York, scoring 27 points and bringing down 8 rebounds. Sabrina Ionescu dictated the tone of the Liberty’s offense, recording 11 assists along with 9 points.
Kelsey Plum scored 29 points in a losing effort for the Aces. Another significant loss for Las Vegas came in the fourth quarter, as guard Chelsea Gray exited the game with an apparent leg injury.
Playing in its first WNBA Finals since 2002, New York came out firing in Game 3 after losing the first two games of the series in Las Vegas. Head coach Sandy Brondello’s team led by three points at halftime before breaking the game open over the final two quarters.
The win came in front of an announced 17,143 fans at Barclays Center, the highest gate receipt ever for a WNBA Finals game. Dawn Staley, Joan Jett, Tony Parker and Jason Sudeikis were among those in attendance.
Alexa, play the Bee Gees x Stayin’ Alive 🔥See y’all right here in BK for game 4💪#SEAFOAMSZN | #LIGHTITUPNYL pic.twitter.com/98ZVxD2dhh— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) October 15, 2023
Alexa, play the Bee Gees x Stayin’ Alive 🔥See y’all right here in BK for game 4💪#SEAFOAMSZN | #LIGHTITUPNYL pic.twitter.com/98ZVxD2dhh
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Just Women’s Sports (@justwomenssports)
A post shared by Just Women’s Sports (@justwomenssports)