| GAME LEADERS | NEW YORK | CONNECTICUT |
| POINTS | Stewart (25) | Thomas (23) |
| REBOUNDS | Jones (12) | Thomas (9) |
| ASSISTS | Vandersloot (7) | Thomas (14) |
TEAM NOTABLES
On Friday, the New York Liberty defeated the Connecticut Sun, 92-81, in Game 3 of their 2023 WNBA Semifinals series, taking a 2-1 series lead.
At Mohegan Sun Arena, the Liberty finished on 50% (38-76) shooting from the field, 34.6% (9-26) from three, and 100% (7-7) at the free throw line.
Tonight marked the Liberty’s first postseason wire-to-wire victory since they defeated the Mystics, 86-68, on September 20, 2015.
New York’s 37-point opening quarter not only set a franchise postseason record for quarterly scoring but is also tied for the second highest-scoring quarter in WNBA postseason history.
The Liberty also held the Sun to 16 points in the first quarter of tonight’s Game 3, Connecticut’s lowest-scoring opening frame this postseason.
Up Next: The New York Liberty will run it back against the Connecticut Sun in Game 4 of their best-of-five series on Sunday, October 1, at 3 p.m. ET at Mohegan Sun Arena on ABC.
KEY RUNS
Q1: New York went on a 24-8 run from the 5:45 mark of the first to the 0:33 mark of the quarter.
Q2: Connecticut went on a 14-6 run from the 4:21 mark of the second through the end of the first half.
Q3: Connecticut went on an 11-2 run from the 3:11 mark of the third to the 0:44 mark of the quarter.
Q4: New York went on a 10-2 run from the 0:25 mark of the third to the 8:19 mark of the fourth quarter. Connecticut responded with a 10-2 run from the 3:29 mark of the fourth to the 0:38 mark of the final quarter, however, the Liberty closed their wire-to-wire win with an 11-point margin of victory.
PLAYER NOTABLES
New York finished with five double-digit scorers in tonight’s game (Stewart, Jones, Ionescu, Laney, Vandersloot), marking the first time in franchise postseason history that the Liberty have finished with five double-digit scorers in consecutive games.
The 2023 Kia WNBA Most Valuable Player, Breanna Stewart, finished with a game-high 25 points on 57.9% (11-19) shooting from the floor, 11 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks, marking the eighth double-double of her postseason career.
Betnijah Laney totaled 20 points on 53.3% (8-15) shooting from the field, including 40% (2-5) from deep, a postseason career-high-tying eight rebounds, and four assists.
Highlighted by three first-quarter threes on 75% (3-4) shooting from deep, Sabrina Ionescu finished with 16 points on 54.5% (6-11) shooting from the field, including 57.1% (4-7) from three-point range, five assists, and three rebounds.
Courtney Vandersloot added 12 points and a team-high seven assists.
Notching the 15th double-double of her postseason career and league-leading fifth double-double this postseason, Jonquel Jones finished with 10 points on 50% (4-8) shooting from the field, including 50% (1-2) from three, a game-high 12 rebounds, and two assists.
With tonight’s performance, Jones has recorded a double-double in all five of the Liberty’s games this postseason, tying the WNBA postseason record for the most consecutive double-doubles to open a postseason.
Her five double-doubles this postseason is a franchise single-postseason record and ties the franchise career-postseason double-double record.
For Connecticut, Alyssa Thomas finished with a team-high 23 points, a game-high 14 assists, and nine rebounds, while Tiffany Hayes added 16 points, six rebounds, and two assists.