Brooklyn, NY — In front of a raucous, sellout crowd of 17,344 at Barclays Center, the New York Liberty made their 2024 championship celebration even sweeter by defeating the Las Vegas Aces 92-78 in a marquee WNBA season opener.
Before tipoff, the Liberty received their championship rings and unveiled their 2024 title banner in the rafters, marking a proud moment for the franchise and its fans. But once the game began, the focus shifted to proving they’re still the team to beat—and they delivered.
The Liberty were led by a dominant performance from Breanna Stewart, who tallied 25 points, 8 boards, and 3 assists. Natasha Cloud chipped in 22 points and dished out 9 assists, providing veteran leadership and clutch shooting throughout the night.
“I think it creates a standard for anyone that comes into Barclays,”Stewart said after the Liberty beat the Aces in the opener.
The match-up, which featured three lead changes and three ties, saw the Liberty take control in the second quarter. Stewart and Cloud ignited a surge that helped New York to a 47-33 halftime lead, scoring 13 and 10 points respectively. The Liberty shot an efficient 48.6% (18-37) from the field in the first half and dominated inside, outscoring the Aces 26-14 in the paint.
Las Vegas showed fight in the third quarter, cutting the Liberty’s lead down to five. But the rally was short-lived as Cloud knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to swing momentum back in New York’s favor. The Liberty quickly rebuilt an 11-point cushion and never looked back.
Despite the loss, Aces star A’ja Wilson put on a show with 31 points, while Jackie Young added 16. But it wasn’t enough to overcome a focused and energized Liberty squad on their home floor.
“We’re so thankful, thank you guys for being part of this championship journey for us,” Ionescu said to the crowd. “We got to run it back. We need the energy the love and support.”
With the championship banner now hanging above and a statement win already in the books, the Liberty look poised to chase back-to-back titles. If they can stay healthy and maintain this level of play, Brooklyn may very well host another WNBA Finals celebration in the near future.
