|
Forward Jonquel Jones has been the hero of New
York’s post-season and the 2021 MVP did not disappoint in front
of a sellout crowd in Brooklyn as she put up 27 points with
eight rebounds.
The Aces had looked poised for a clean sweep after swatting
aside the Liberty 99-82 in Game 1 and 104-76 in Game 2 but could
not find their same offensive fire, as guard Kelsey Plum led
Vegas in scoring with 29 points.
"Played with heart," Jones said. "We've got to come out with the
same level of intensity (in Game 4). We have to play hard, we
have to continue to make it hard on Vegas - no easy buckets for
them."
New York wasted little time flipping the script on the
disastrous start to their first Finals campaign in 21 years as
Betnijah Laney got the party started with an easy tip shot and
Jones drained her first of four from beyond the arc.
The Liberty had a 43-40 lead at the half and never ceded the
advantage from there as they put on a fine defensive display to
hold Vegas scoreless for more than three minutes into the third
quarter.
A monster block from 2023 MVP Breanna Stewart on Aces superstar
A’ja Wilson late in the third sent the 17,143 fans into a frenzy
and New York carried the momentum into the final quarter as
Vegas' form fell apart in the final minutes.
"There's things that we can do better for sure," Aces coach
Becky Hammon told reporters.
The two sides will play Game 4 in New York on Wednesday.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Ken Ferris)
[© 2023 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |
|
