Aces slide to Liberty at the end of 5 games to avoid a sweep in Game 3

LAS VEGAS – Jackie Young scored 24 points and the Las Vegas Aces took control with a 16-point run in the third quarter to avoid elimination with a 95-81 victory over the New York Liberty in Game 3 of the WNBA on Friday night. Semifinals.

The Liberty, who lead the series 2-1, will have another chance to knock off the two-time defending champion Aces on Sunday. If Las Vegas wins this, there will be a winner-take-all Game 5 in New York on Tuesday.

This was the Aces' 12th consecutive home playoff win, breaking the WNBA record held by the Los Angeles Sparks (2001–04) and Sacramento Monarchs (2003–06).

Las Vegas finally beat the Liberty this season after New York won all three regular-season meetings and the first two games of this series.

Kelsey Plum scored 20 points, A'ja Wilson had 19 points and 14 rebounds, Tiffany Hayes had 11 points and Chelsea Gray totaled 10 points and seven assists. The Aces shot 52.1%, including 40.6% from the 3-point line.

Breanna Stewart led the Liberty with 19 points, Jonquel Jones and Nyara Sabally each scored 11 points and Leonie Fiebich had 10 points.

Sabrina Ionescu, who came into the game averaging 24.5 points in the playoffs, was limited to four points on 1-of-7 shooting. She was suspended until a minute into the fourth quarter, when she made a technical free throw.

A back-and-forth first half quickly became one-sided in the third quarter as the Aces turned a 57-53 lead into a 73-53 lead. New York went 7:36 between field goals and scored just six points in that period. Liberty coach Sandy Brondello called two timeouts to stop the Aces' momentum.

Las Vegas extended its lead to 78-55 early in the fourth quarter, capping a 21-2 run.

At the start of the second half it looked like the game could go either way. It was a back-and-forth affair between both teams in the first 30 minutes, during which there were 18 lead changes and eight ties.

The Aces played without Kiah Stokes, who suffered a concussion late in Game 3.

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic sat courtside alongside teammate Dereck Lively II, coach Jason Kidd and general manager Nico Harrison. The Mavericks' training camp took place this week in Las Vegas. Hall of Famer Sheryl Swoopes and Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, a leading Heisman Trophy candidate, were also in attendance.