New York Liberty v Washington Mystics – Source: Getty

The Las Vegas Aces traveled to Brooklyn to take on the New York Liberty in Game 1 of their WNBA semifinals matchup on Sunday night.

The Liberty ranked second in the WNBA in average attendance this season, behind only the Indiana Fever. The Barclays Center is arguably the toughest playoff atmosphere in the 2024 WNBA playoff field.

During a dead-ball situation with nearly six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, broadcaster Ryan Ruocco discussed similarities between two of the toughest places to play in the WNBA, the Barclays Center and Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

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“It is very similar to the anticipation we felt in Iowa or in Indiana this year when Caitlin Clark’s getting ready to let go of a logo three. You could just feel the crowd leaning forward, ready to explode.”

Just before the quote, Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu canned a 30-foot 3-pointer to extend New York’s lead to 81-68. The shot was one of Ionescu’s three 3-pointers of the evening.

Sabrina Ionescu, Liberty take Game 1 over Aces in semifinals

Behind the roars of a packed crowd in Barclays Center, the Liberty defeated the Aces in Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals. Led by Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, New York climbed to a 1-0 lead in the series.

Ionescu scored 21 points on Sunday, adding five assists and four rebounds while snatching two steals on the defensive end. Stewart led the game in scoring, posting 34 points on 12-19 shooting. Breanna Stewart added five rebounds, four assists and two steals.

New York swept the Atlanta Dream in a quick two games in the opening round of the WNBA playoffs, advancing to square off against the defending back-to-back champions in Round 2. The Liberty are looking to avenge their 2023 WNBA Finals loss by sending the Aces home early in 2024.

With the series staying in New York for another game, the Liberty could move past argaubly their biggest test in the playoffs to make a run at their first WNBA championship in franchise history.