WNBA Playoffs 2024 Day 2 recap: Liberty, Aces setup rematch in WNBA semis

The New York Liberty and the Las Vegas Aces have set up their WNBA Finals rematch, albeit in a different setting, after sweeping their respective opponents Tuesday night in the 2024 WNBA Playoffs.

The Liberty ended their series matchup by defeating the Atlanta Dream in Game 2, 91-82, and swept the series. Sabrina Ionescu starred for New York as she delivered the best game of her young playoff career with 36 points and 9 assists.

Starting center Jonquel Jones had 20, while All-WNBA First Teamer Breanna Stewart added 13 for New York, who will now advance to the semifinals.

4th seed Las Vegas Aces continued their bid for a three-peat after also sweeping the Seatle Storm 2-0, winning Game 2, 83-76. MVP A’Ja Wilson went at it for the Aces with 24 points and 13 rebounds while Kelsey Plum was in her vintage form with 29 points on an impressive 11-15 shooting from the field.

Both the Liberty and the Aces’ wins meant that the 2023 WNBA Finals rematch is set to happen, but in semifinals. New York finished with the top overall seed this year with a 32-8 record while Las Vegas, which dealt to injuries to their starters all season long, just finished 4th with 27 wins and 13 losses coming from their championship. 

This allowed both 2023 WNBA finalists to end up on the same side of the bracket, and will renew their brewing rivalry when their best-of-three series starts.