The New York Liberty opened their WNBA title defense Saturday with an impressive 92-78 win over the Las Vegas Aces.
The Liberty picked up where they left on last season and used a well-rounded effort, with Breanna Stewart leading the way with 25 points on 10-for-14 shooting. New addition Natasha Cloud impressed fans at the Barclays Center. The veteran guard shined in her first appearance with the Liberty, recording 22 points, eight assists, and six rebounds.
Reigning WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson was outstanding for the Aces, scoring 31 points and leading all players with 16 rebounds. However, there wasn’t much support available, with Las Vegas as a whole shooting 35%. Six-time All-Star Jewell Loyd couldn’t find her shot in her Aces debut, netting just five points on 2-for-11 shooting.
Here are highlights and game recap from the WNBA opener for the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces:
New York Liberty vs. Las Vegas Aces: WNBA highlights
New York Liberty down Las Vegas Aces in WNBA season opener
The Liberty stepped things up in the fourth quarter, holding off any chance of an Aces comeback in a 92-78 win at the Barclays Center.
A 29-point final quarter against a team as talented as Las Vegas is as impressive as it sounds, with Breanna Stewart and Natasha Cloud (in her Liberty debut) the standouts. Stewart put up 25 points on 10-for-14 shooting, missing a double-double by a single rebound. Cloud, meanwhile, had 22 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, winning over New York fans in her first game since signing with the team this offseason.
Las Vegas saw A’ja Wilson put on a show, with the center scoring 31 points and a game-best 16 rebounds. However, the rest of the Aces struggled to find their shot, with Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray combining to make just nine of 31 field goal attempts.
Liberty 63, Aces 58 after third quarter
The Aces have picked it up, and as expected this has become an intensely competitive game between two of the WNBA’s top teams. New York leads by five, with Breanna Stewart’s 19 leading the way. However, A’ja Wilson leads all scorers with 24, and it seems like the defending champs don’t really have an answer for the Las Vegas center.
WNBA: Liberty take commanding 47-33 lead over Aces into halftime
The New York Liberty put together an outstanding second quarter, outscoring the Las Vegas Aces 28-13 to take a 14-point lead into the locker room. It could have been worse for the Aces, only for Breanna Stewart’s potential buzzer-beater three being ruled out on replay as the half came to a close.
Stewart leads the Liberty with 13 points, while Natasha Cloud (10 points, three assists) is showing out in her first game since joining the team this offseason. For Las Vegas, A’ja Wilson’s 13 points have been a bright spot, but the Liberty have dominated on the glass to take charge of the game.
WNBA: Aces lead Liberty 20-19 after one quarter
With A’ja Wilson in dominant form, Las Vegas holds a 20-19 lead at the end of the first quarter. The 2024 MVP already has 11 points in this one, along with four rebounds.
A more balanced Liberty have gotten points from all over, with Nyara Sabally leading the team with six despite playing just three minutes off the bench.
Aces vs. Liberty: WNBA game underway
The Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty have tipped off at Barclays Center, with both teams officially off and running in the 2025 WNBA season.
What time is Aces vs. Liberty?
The Las Vegas Aces vs. New York Liberty game will tip off at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 17 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
How to watch Aces vs. Liberty: TV, stream
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York
TV: ABC
Stream: Fubo, ESPN+
Stream Aces vs. Liberty with Fubo