Aces finally beat Liberty, stay alive with G3 win

LAS VEGAS — Jackie Young scored 24 points and the Las Vegas Aces took control with a 16-point third-quarter run Friday night to avoid elimination with a 95-81 victory over the New York Liberty in Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals.

The Liberty, who lead the series 2-1, will get another shot at closing out the two-time defending champion Aces on Sunday. If Las Vegas can win it, a winner-takes-all Game 5 will be Tuesday in New York.

It was the Aces' 12th consecutive home playoff win, breaking the WNBA record shared by the Los Angeles Sparks (2001–04) and Sacramento Monarchs (2003–06).

Las Vegas finally defeated the Liberty this season after New York won all three regular-season meetings and the first two games of this series.

Kelsey Plum had 20 points, A'ja Wilson had 19 points and 14 rebounds, Tiffany Hayes had 11 points and Chelsea Gray had 10 points and seven assists. The Aces shot 52.1%, including 40.6% from the 3-point line.

Brenna Stewart led the Liberty with 19 points, Jonkel Jones and Niara Sabali each had 11 points and Leonie Fibich had 10 points.

Sabrina Ionescu, who entered the game averaging 24.5 points in the playoffs, was held to four points on 1 of 7 shooting. He was ejected with a minute left in the fourth quarter for making a technical free throw.

A first-half deficit quickly became one-sided in the third quarter when the Aces turned a 57-53 lead into a 73-53 advantage. New York went 7:36 between field goals and scored just six points in the period. Liberty coach Sandy Brondello called two timeouts to try to stop the Aces' momentum.

Las Vegas went on a 21-2 run early in the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 78-55.

The game looked like it could go either way as the second half began. Both teams went back and forth in the first 30 minutes, which featured 18 lead changes and eight ties.

The Aces played without Kia Stokes, who was injured late in Game 3.

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic sat courtside alongside teammate Derek Lively II, coach Jason Kidd and general manager Nico Harrison. Mavericks training camp was in Las Vegas this week. Hall of Famer Sherrill Supes and Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, one of the runners-up for the Heisman Trophy, were also in attendance.