The New York Liberty edged the Connecticut Sun 84-77 on Monday night at Barclays Center in a pivotal WNBA Commissioner's Cup clash. New York leaned on the clutch play of Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, who combined for 40 points and 14 assists, to secure the home victory. The win keeps the Liberty in first place in the Eastern Conference, while the Sun remain in second.
Stewart was dominant from start to finish, finishing with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and three steals. She was a perfect 9-of-9 from the field and hit a crucial three-pointer in the fourth quarter that gave New York a seven-point lead. Ionescu chipped in 16 points and six assists, leading the Liberty’s high-octane offense. Her ability to push the tempo and create for teammates was key in keeping the Sun’s defense on its heels.
Connecticut’s Brittney Griner and Aneesah Morrow did everything they could to keep the Sun in the game. Griner added 14 points and five rebounds, while Morrow recorded her 14th double-double of the season with 13 points and 12 rebounds. The Sun’s interior presence was a challenge for New York early, but the Liberty’s perimeter shooting eventually opened up space and led to better looks on the other end.
The game turned in the third quarter when New York outscored Connecticut 22-15. Ionescu’s assist to Stewart on a fast break three-pointer gave the Liberty a 62-54 lead heading into the fourth. The Sun tried to respond with a 7-2 run, but New York’s defense clamped down and forced six turnovers in the final frame.
Courtney Vandersloot led the Sun with 12 points and four assists, but her team struggled to match the Liberty’s offensive rhythm down the stretch. Connecticut shot 38.5% from the field compared to New York’s 49.3%, and the Liberty outrebounded the Sun 42-36.
With the win, New York improves to 24-9 on the season and remains in the top seed in the East. The Sun fall to 22-11 and will look to bounce back in their next game. The two teams will meet again in Connecticut on June 15, a rematch that could have major implications for the Commissioner’s Cup standings.
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