WNBA Finals Archives - New Hip Hop News

New York Liberty Rallies Late to Claim Game 2 of WNBA Finals, Series Tied 1-1

October 14, 2024 by newhiphopnews

In a thrilling repeat of Game 1, the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx faced off in Game 2 of the 2024 WNBA Finals. New York surged to an early double-digit lead, extending it to nearly 20 points in the first half. However, Minnesota mounted a fierce comeback, narrowing the gap to just five points multiple times.

The final moments of the game marked a pivotal shift from Game 1. With 3:23 remaining and New York leading by only two, the Liberty ignited a 12-0 run, ultimately sealing an 80-66 victory and tying the series at 1-1.

Breanna Stewart had a standout performance, notching 21 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and a Finals record of 7 steals. “The moment the game ended Thursday night, I was looking forward to Sunday to change things, change the narrative a little bit,” Stewart remarked. Her impressive stats placed her in elite company, becoming one of only four players to achieve at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals in a playoff game.

On the Lynx side, Napheesa Collier contributed significantly with 16 points and 8 rebounds, passing legends Chelsea Gray and A’ja Wilson for the fourth-most points scored in a single postseason.

With the series now shifting to Minnesota, Game 3 promises to be crucial. Historically, teams that win Game 3 in a tied series have a 71.4% chance of claiming the championship. The pivotal matchup is set for Wednesday at 8 PM ET on ESPN.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Minnesota Lynx Stun NY Liberty in Thrilling Game 1 Comeback, 95-93

October 11, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The Minnesota Lynx pulled off one of the largest comebacks in WNBA Finals history, defeating the New York Liberty 95-93 in overtime to take Game 1 of the 2024 WNBA Finals. Down by 18 points early in the second quarter, the Lynx fought back multiple times throughout the game.

After cutting New York’s lead to two points in the third quarter, Minnesota faced a 15-point deficit with just five minutes remaining in the fourth. But the Lynx stormed back with an 18-2 run, capped by a four-point play from Courtney Williams, giving them their first lead with 5.5 seconds left. Breanna Stewart’s free throws sent the game to overtime, but Minnesota continued to battle.

Down four in the final minute of OT, New York rallied with steals and layups from Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones to tie the game. But with 8.8 seconds left, Lynx star Napheesa Collier hit a tough fadeaway jumper to seal the win. Stewart missed a layup on New York’s final possession, and Minnesota took Game 1.

Courtney Williams (23 points), Kayla McBride (22 points), and Collier (21 points, 8 rebounds, 6 blocks) led the Lynx, who now have a 74% chance to win the title, as teams that win Game 1 have done so 20 of 27 times. Collier’s performance puts her in elite company, joining Lisa Leslie and Sylvia Fowles as one of the few players with 20+ points, 8+ rebounds, and 5+ blocks in a Finals game.

In seeking its first-ever WNBA title, New York was led by Jonquel Jones (24 points) while Stewart and Ionescu struggled with 29.8% shooting.

Game 2 is set for Sunday.

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Las Vegas Aces Win WNBA Title, First Back-To-Back Champions In 21 Years

October 19, 2023 by newhiphopnews

With a 70-69 road victory, the Las Vegas Aces secured their second WNBA title in as many seasons. After a double-digit loss in Game 3, the Aces bounced back to take a one-point win in front of a hostile and sold-out New York home crowd. A’ja Wilson had a game-high 24 points as injuries to key starters limited the Aces’ dominance but did not relegate them to silver scrapes. With the win, the Aces became the first team since the 2002 Los Angeles Sparks to win back-to-back titles. They were also the first defending champions to even make the Finals since the Sparks in 2017.

“This one’s sweeter. It just is. It’s harder to do,” head coach Becky Hammon said after the game. “This is what it’s all about, to have your name etched in history right now with other teams. We never gave up, and this is a moment that we need to celebrate. This is a moment that not a lot of people get a chance to do it, and for us to do it shorthanded, it is truly amazing. It just makes winning that much better,” Wilson, who was named Finals MVP, added.

Aces Solidify Their Dynasty

The Aces became just the third franchise in league history to win back-to-back titles. What’s more, they did over the one team that was seen as having the ability to stop them. The New York Liberty went all-in in the offseason, amassing talent to build a 2023 superteam that broke the scales of the league. Betting markers weren’t for individual teams – it was Aces/Liberty or literally any other team in the league for champion odds.

But come the best-of-five finals, they Aces showed up the Liberty at every turn. They raced out to a 2-0 lead, including a 28-point blowout in Game 2. The Liberty hit back on their homecourt in Game 3 as the Aces lost key players in Kiah Stokes and Chelsea Gray to injury. Veteran Candance Parker was already out with an injury. And yet, the Aces persevered. After the Liberty dropped 23 in the first quarter, they didn’t surpass 18 points in a quarter for the rest of the game. It was a tough-fought win, but it was a win all the same. Now the Aces can turn to the much-vaunted three-peat, something that hasn’t been seen in the WNBA since it’s very first years in existence.

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Lil Kim’s Performance At WNBA Finals Game Lifts New York Liberty To Crucial Win: Watch

October 17, 2023 by newhiphopnews

The 2023 WNBA Finals are currently underway and it has been a pretty lopsided series so far. The Las Vegas Aces have been dominant all season long (34-6). However, they are proving it in the biggest games and moments Coming into this matchup with the New York Liberty, the Aces never lost a postseason game. They waltzed through the first round versus the Chicago Sky and handled the Dallas Wings. It appeared they were on the brink of eclipsing a title a few days ago. But, not if rap legend Lil Kim had something to say about it.

Las Vegas went up 2-0 in the best-of-five series after throttling the visiting Liberty 104-76. However, with the ladies’ backs against the wall in a win-or-go-home scenario they got it done. New York did so comfortably, extending the series at least one more game, 87-73. On top of keeping their title hopes alive, the Liberty secured their first Finals victory since 1999. Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart led the way with 27 and 20 points respectively. What might have given the women a spark in a tight contest at half was New York’s own Lil Kim turning up the crowd.

Lil Kim Tears It Up At Halftime

Lil Kim was met at center court with some backup dancers dressed in all white and the Liberty mascot. Yes, Ellie the Elephant tore it up alongside the MC giving a jolt of energy to the fans. Kim performed “Lighters Up” as well as a few other songs. The video above was partially provided by HipHopDX. The Liberty have a chance to knot it up at 2-2 on their home floor. Game four takes place Wednesday at 8 p.m. on ESPN.

What are your initial thoughts on Lil Kim’s halftime performance at the New York Liberty Finals game? Do you think it was a good show for the fans? Who do you see winning the WNBA Finals series between the Liberty and the Las Vegas Aces? We would like to hear what you have to say about all of this. With that in mind, be sure to leave all of your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest breaking news around Lil Kim, the WNBA, as well as the rest of the sports and music world.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Aces Guard Trio Run Liberty Off Floor in Game 1 of WNBA Finals

October 9, 2023 by newhiphopnews

The Las Vegas Aces struck first in the WNBA Finals, beating the New York Liberty 99-82 in game 1.

GAME FRAMES #RaiseTheStakes pic.twitter.com/EQV3K3Dn6i

— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) October 9, 2023

The battle of the WNBA Supersteams was tight through the first half, before the guard trio of Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, and Kelsey plum exploded for a total of 72 points, powering the game 1 win.

The Aces trailed 49-46 at the half before their second half explosion. Young and Plum had 26 points. Gray added 20 and nine rebounds.

“We know when to push each other, when to relax a little. There’s a trust factor,” said Gray. “If we’re yelling, ‘You gotta do this!’ it’s coming from a good place of just wanting to win. There’s just a kind of chemistry there with us.”

Former league MVP A’ja Wilson added 19 points, eight rebounds and three blocks to the team effort.

On the other side, the 2023 MVP Breanna Stewart had 21 points and 9 rebounds, while Jonquel Jones added 16 points and 10 rebounds. Off the bench, Marinne Johannes added a spark of 14 points, including four wild threes in the first half. But it was still not enough.

The Liberty and Aces will now prepare for Game 2 on Wednesday on ESPN.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Aces Guard Trio Run Liberty Off Floor in Game 1 of WNBA Finals first appeared on The Source.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Aces Guard Trio Run Liberty Off Floor in Game 1 of WNBA Finals appeared first on The Source.

New York Liberty Advance to WNBA Finals Matchup with Las Vegas Aces

October 2, 2023 by newhiphopnews

The WNBA Finals matchup we all have wanted is officially set. The Las Vegas Aces and the New York Liberty are set to clash in what will be an epic five-game series. The WNBA Finals will kick off on Oct. 8.

The series was made official with the New York Liebrty’s series-clinching an 87-84 win over the Connecticut Sun on Sunday. The win closed out the series 3-1.

The WNBA Finals will be a matchup of Superteams, bringing three league MVPs, five first-round draft picks, and several WNBA All-Stars together across the two teams. Liberty Coach Sandy Brondello isn’t specifically fond of the Super Team title.

“I didn’t particularly like the superteam thing,” Brondello said to ESPN. “it’s going to be a great series and it’s a promotion for the WNBA, isn’t it? It’s New York, we haven’t done it for so long, but we’re playing the champions from last year. I think it’s going to be a really competitive series and hopefully more and more people turn their eyes into the game and we can continue to grow it.”

In Sunday’s game, the league MVP, Breanna Stewart, dropped 27 points and nine rebounds. Jonquel Jones added 25 points and 15 rebounds. Betnija Laney added 21 points.

On Friday, the Aces punched their return ticket to the Finals and continued their title defense by sweeping the Dallas Wings 3-0 behind the strong play of A’Ja Wilson.

Who do you have winning the big dance?

The post New York Liberty Advance to WNBA Finals Matchup with Las Vegas Aces first appeared on The Source.

The post New York Liberty Advance to WNBA Finals Matchup with Las Vegas Aces appeared first on The Source.