Kelsey Plum and the Las Vegas Aces will face the New York Liberty in a thrilling showdown in the 2023 WNBA Finals. This highly anticipated event brings together the league’s most recent MVPs, Breanna Stewart of the Liberty and A’ja Wilson of the Aces. Both teams are set to battle it out in Game 1 on Sunday in Las Vegas, promising an exhilarating clash of talent and skill.
Oct. 6 (UPI) — The two most recent MVPs will compete in the 2023 WNBA Finals, when Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty and A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces meet in Game 1 on Sunday in Las Vegas.
“We are going to go out there and have fun, throw the basketball up and see where it gets us,” Wilson told ESPN after leading the Aces to the finals.
The WNBA Finals, consisting of a best-of-five series, will run through Oct. 20. Wilson’s Aces, as the reigning champions, are favored to secure their second consecutive title. Games 1 and 3 will be broadcasted on ABC, while Games 2, 4, and 5 will be televised on ESPN.
The highly anticipated Game 1 will tip off at 3 p.m. EDT on Sunday at the Michelob Ultra Arena, igniting the intense competition between these two formidable teams.
If the Aces emerge victorious in the series, they will create history by becoming the WNBA’s first repeat champions in over two decades. The Los Angeles Sparks were the last team to achieve this feat in 2001-2002.
During the regular season, the Aces showcased their dominance, amassing an impressive record of 34 wins and only 6 losses. The Liberty, on the other hand, secured the second spot in the WNBA standings with a record of 32 wins and 8 losses.
A’ja Wilson, the star center for the Aces, led her team with remarkable statistics, including an average of 22.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and a league-high 2.2 blocks per game. Her exceptional performance positioned her as the third-highest scorer in the league, trailing only Jewell Loyd (23) and Breanna Stewart (22.8). Wilson also ranked second in rebounding, just behind Alyssa Thomas (9.9).
Another key player to watch for the Aces is Kelsey Plum, who averaged 18.7 points per game this season. Guards Jackie Young (17.6) and Chelsea Gray (15.3) also contribute significantly to the team’s scoring power.
The Liberty’s top scorers include Sabrina Ionescu (17), Betnijah Laney (12.8), Jonquel Jones (11.3), and Courtney Vandersloot (10.5). Vandersloot also led the WNBA with an impressive 8.1 assists per game.
Scoring-wise, the Aces were the highest-scoring team in the league during the regular season, averaging 92.8 points per game. The Liberty closely followed with an average of 89.2 points per game.
In terms of shooting efficiency, both the Aces (48.6%) and the Liberty (46%) led the league in field goal percentage. Additionally, the Liberty reigned supreme in 3-point shooting, boasting a league-best 37.4% from beyond the arc, with the Aces trailing closely at 37.2%.
Not only were the Aces dominant in offense, but they also exhibited exceptional defensive prowess throughout the season. Leading the WNBA in defensive rating, blocks, and defensive rebounding percentage, they continued their defensive excellence in the playoffs, currently maintaining the highest defensive rating and averaging a commendable 86.2 points per game.
In the postseason, A’ja Wilson has stepped up her game, averaging an impressive 25.8 points per game, surpassing her regular season average by three points. Meanwhile, Breanna Stewart’s scoring average has slightly decreased by three points compared to the regular season.
“The Liberty is an incredibly talented team with firepower in every position,” remarked Kelsey Plum during a press conference. “As we approach this crucial series, we must stay focused on what got us here and what we need to do as a team to secure the victory.”
The Aces and the Liberty had an even-split during their four matchups in the regular season, intensifying the anticipation for this clash of titans in the WNBA Finals.
WNBA Finals
All times EDT
Sunday: Game 1 – Liberty at Aces at 3 p.m. on ABC
Wednesday: Game 2 – Liberty at Aces at 9 p.m. on ESPN
Oct. 15: Game 3 – Aces at Liberty at 3 p.m. on ABC
Oct. 18: Game 4 (if necessary) – Aces at Liberty at 8 p.m. on ESPN
Oct. 20: Game 5 (if necessary) – Liberty at Aces at 9 p.m. on ESPN
