WNBA: Aces defeats Liberty to win second straight title

The Las Vegas Aces won its second consecutive WNBA title on Wednesday, beating the New York Liberty in Brooklyn 70-69 in Game 4 of the Finals.

The Las Vegas Aces celebrate with the trophy after Game 4 of a WNBA basketball final playoff series against the New York Liberty. | Photo Credit: AP

The Las Vegas Aces won its second consecutive WNBA title on Wednesday after beating the New York Liberty 70-69 in Game 4 of the Finals.

A’ja Wilson produced 24 points and 16 rebounds to help the Aces recover from a 12-point deficit in Brooklyn and become the first team in more than two decades to repeat as champions.

New York had appeared on track to keep their first Finals campaign in 21 years alive against a depleted Aces roster but an error-filled second half cost them dearly.

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The Aces were out of sync early on with starters Chelsea Gray and Kiah Stokes sidelined due to injury and coughed up eight turnovers in the first quarter.

New York had a commanding lead at halftime thanks to standout performances from forward Betnijah Laney and guard Courtney Vandersloot but Las Vegas came alive in the third, outshooting the home team 23-12.

A clutch jump shot from Sabrina Ionescu put New York within one point with only seconds left but their frantic last-gasp attempts to clinch victory came up short.