The New York Liberty are the 2023 WNBA Commissioner's Cup champions after defeating the Las Vegas Aces 82-63 in the final on Tuesday.
In a surprising twist, the Las Vegas Aces, who had maintained an undefeated record on their home court throughout the 2023 season, faced an unexpected defeat at the hands of the New York Liberty during the Commissioner's Cup championship game.
But this clash is just a taste of what's to come. The Aces and Liberty are gearing up for not one, but two more exciting showdowns by the end of this month. On August 17th, they'll meet again in Las Vegas, and then on August 28th, they'll battle it out once more in New York. Get ready for more intense basketball action as these two powerhouse teams go head to head in an ongoing display of skill and determination.
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New York Liberty vs Las Vegas Aces
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Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada
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Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 10:00 PM ET
Online Sports Betting will delve into a thorough examination of both teams' dynamics, uncovering key areas that could determine the game's outcome.
If you are interested in betting on WNBA, then you can check out our guide.
After the Commissioner's Cup championship game, the Aces Championship odds have lengthened. However, they are still the heavy favorites.
See below the outright odds for the 2023 WNBA Championship
| WNBA Outright Winner |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas Aces | -250 | -220 | -250 |
| New York Liberty | +180 | +200 | +199 |
| Connecticut Sun | +2800 | +3000 | +2800 |
| Dallas Wings | +3300 | +3000 | +3000 |
| Washington Mystics | +7000 | +6000 | +6600 |
| Atlanta Dream | +15000 | +12500 | +12000 |
You can take advantage of Bovada lengthening these odds off the back of the Cup defeat. At odds of -200, a $100 bet will return $150.
Las Vegas Aces Key Insights
The Aces have demonstrated exceptional prowess on both offensive and defensive fronts this season, leading the WNBA in points per game with an impressive average of 94.0. Furthermore, they rank second-best in the league in points allowed per game, yielding just 79.6 on average.
Throughout the current year, Las Vegas has been a formidable presence on the boards, securing an average of 34.9 rebounds per game, which positions them as the fourth-ranked team in the WNBA. Conversely, their rebound concession stands at 34.3 per contest, placing them at the sixth rank in this aspect.
The Aces exhibit a tenacious approach to turnovers this season, forcing an average of 13.1 turnovers per game, which positions them at the eighth rank in the WNBA. However, their own turnovers are notably low, averaging just 11.1 turnovers per game, making them the best in this regard.
When it comes to their proficiency in three-point shooting, the Aces shine brightly. They secure the second-best rank in the league for three-pointers made per game, averaging 9.4. Additionally, they lead the league in shooting percentage from beyond the arc, boasting an impressive 38.9%.
Defensively, the Aces allow opponents to make an average of 7.4 three-pointers per game, ranking fifth in the league. Moreover, their opponents' shooting percentage from three-point range stands at 34.0%, which also positions them at the fifth rank in this category.
Las Vegas' shot distribution for the year indicates that they opt for a balanced approach. They attempt 64.8% of their shots as two-pointers and 35.2% from beyond the arc. In terms of successful attempts, 72.4% of their buckets are two-pointers, while the remaining 27.6% are three-pointers.
New York Liberty Key Insights
Offense
Regarding offense, the Liberty stand as the league's second-strongest team, averaging 88.5 points per game. On the defensive end, they rank third, allowing an average of 80.7 points per game.
New York occupies the second position in the league for rebounds per game, securing an average of 38.2, while also performing commendably in rebounds allowed, where they rank third with a rate of 33.4.
In terms of turnovers, the Liberty find themselves in the seventh position in the WNBA, committing an average of 13.8 per game. On the flip side, they struggle in the aspect of forcing turnovers, holding the lowest rank with an average of 11.9 per game.
The Liberty excel as the top team in the WNBA for 3-pointers made, recording an impressive average of 11.1 per game. Additionally, they hold the second position in 3-point shooting percentage at 38%.
Defense
In terms of defense against the three-pointer, the Liberty allow an average of 7.4 3-pointers per game, ranking them fifth in the league. Their concession percentage from beyond the arc stands at 34.4%, placing them at the sixth position in this category.
Throughout 2023, New York has attempted 57.9% of its shots from within the 3-point line and 42.1% from beyond it. In regard to made shots, 65.0% of the team's successful attempts have been 2-pointers, while 35.0% have been 3-pointers.
Prediction:
Las Vegas Aces to win this crucial match
YOUR 2023 COMMISSIONER’S CUP CHAMPS 🏆🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/lCZzbqkgjw
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) August 16, 2023
What Happened In The 2023 WNBA Commissioner's Cup?
The New York Liberty emerged as the victors of the 2023 WNBA Commissioner's Cup, securing their championship by triumphing over the Las Vegas Aces with a final score of 82-63 this past Tuesday.
This marks yet another significant victory for the Liberty over the Aces, who are at the forefront of the league. The game took place in Las Vegas at the Michelob Ultra Arena.
Despite experiencing an off-night, Sabrina Ionescu of the Liberty managed to contribute 12 points and eight rebounds. Meanwhile, Breanna Stewart had a challenging evening, tallying 13 points while shooting 4-16. However, Jonquel Jones and Marine Johannes stepped up to fill the void for New York.
Jones showcased an impressive performance, accumulating 16 points, 15 rebounds, and two blocks. On the other hand, Johannes, coming off the bench, made a notable impact with 17 points. Her shooting was particularly outstanding, going 6-8 from the field, including a remarkable 5-7 from beyond the arc.
Although the contest remained closely contested during the initial two quarters, the Liberty managed to pull ahead in the third quarter and ultimately sealed the victory in the final period.
This achievement solidified the Liberty as the third team to secure the Commissioner's Cup title, following in the footsteps of the Seattle Storm in 2021 and the Las Vegas Aces in the previous year. Both the Liberty and the Aces earned their spots in the final by boasting the best records during Cup play.
Significant Defeat For Aces
The loss on Tuesday marked a significant event for the Aces as it was their first defeat on their home court throughout the season and only their fourth overall loss. While the Cup games contribute to the regular season record, the final itself does not impact it. Consequently, New York maintains a 24-6 record, while the Aces now stand at 27-3.
This loss to the Liberty was the Aces' second defeat to the team this season, and once again, they were unable to surpass 65 points. A prior blowout occurred on August 6 at the Barclays Center, where the Aces suffered a resounding 99-61 loss.
Furthermore, this defeat stands as the most significant setback for the Aces since Becky Hammon assumed the role of head coach.
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