Aces rout Liberty for their 2nd WNBA title with 1 win needed.

Las Vegas Aces dominate New York Liberty in Game 2 of WNBA Finals, moving one win away from repeating as champions.

In a stunning display of skill and dominance, A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces delivered yet another remarkable performance, finishing 10-of-16 from the field and securing her 26th double-double of the season. This remarkable achievement includes her fourth double-double of the playoffs. Wilson's exceptional performance places her in an elite category, as she becomes only the third player in WNBA Finals history to score at least 25 points and grab 15 rebounds in a single game.

Speaking about the team's impressive victory, Wilson emphasized the importance of their home court advantage, stating, "We know what's on the line and we had to make sure we came out and took care of home court." The defending champions, the Aces, now find themselves on the brink of making history, as they are only one win away from becoming the first team since the 2001-02 Los Angeles Sparks to repeat as champions.

Looking ahead, Game 3 is scheduled to take place in New York on Sunday. However, the odds are stacked against the Liberty, as no team has ever managed to overcome a 2-0 deficit in the WNBA Finals. The Aces have undoubtedly established their dominance, and it will be a monumental task for the Liberty to mount a comeback.

Contributing to the Aces' victory, Chelsea Gray also achieved a double-double, scoring 14 points and providing 11 assists. Gray's exceptional court vision was on full display as she delivered some breathtaking no-look passes, resulting in easy baskets for her teammates. Additionally, Jackie Young contributed 24 points, while Kelsey Plum added 23 points. This dynamic trio of guards continued their impressive form, dominating the Liberty for the second consecutive game.

On the opposing side, the New York Liberty relied heavily on their star players, with Jonquel Jones leading the way with 22 points. Breanna Stewart contributed 14 points, Betnijah Laney scored 12 points, and Sabrina Ionescu added 10 points. These four players accounted for a staggering 76.3% of New York's total points, highlighting the team's heavy reliance on their star power. However, the remaining six players who took the court for the Liberty only managed to contribute a mere 18 points.

New York entered the game with an impressive record of 9-0 after losses this season, having previously bounced back strongly from defeats. However, the Aces were determined to break this streak, delivering a dominant performance in both the first and third quarters. The Aces set the tone early on, scoring 19 of the first 21 points in the game, with an impressive 12 points coming from beyond the arc. Las Vegas showcased their shooting prowess, hitting an incredible 77.8% of their shots, including four 3-pointers, in the early stages of the game. In stark contrast, New York struggled to find their rhythm, missing nine of their first ten attempts.

Reflecting on their commanding performance, Gray attributed their success to their defensive efforts, stating, "It started with our defense. We kept our pressure up, our physicality, and we were able to play with our flow offensively." The Aces' lead reached a staggering 21 points in the first quarter, setting a new record for the most points scored in the first quarter of a WNBA Finals game. This remarkable achievement also marked the highest-scoring quarter for the Aces throughout the entire season.

Despite the Liberty's valiant efforts to mount a comeback, they were unable to maintain their momentum in the third quarter. The Aces embarked on a 17-3 run, extending their lead to 69-47. The third quarter proved to be a pivotal moment in the game, as the Aces outscored the Liberty 28-13, with Wilson and Young accounting for an impressive 20 points. The Liberty found themselves unable to bridge the gap, and now face the daunting task of avoiding a sweep in the upcoming games.

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