Breanna Stewart has already received one Commissioner’s Cup championship. She hopes to get New York to this yr’s in-season event title sport to have an opportunity at one other one.
The Aces have already clinched a spot within the closing which shall be performed in Las Vegas on Aug. 15. The Aces received the Cup final yr and want to defend their title.
The Liberty want a victory over Indiana on Wednesday or a loss by Connecticut in Chicago to earn a visit to Las Vegas to play the Aces within the championship sport. New York and Connecticut are tied with one sport to play and maintain the tiebreaker over the Solar.
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New York Liberty ahead Breanna Stewart (30) drives to the basket throughout a WNBA sport between New York Liberty and Connecticut Solar on June 27, 2023, at Mohegan Solar Area in Uncasville, CT. (M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire through Getty Pictures)
“Now we have to go and care for enterprise,” Stewart mentioned after observe Monday. “Make sure that we’re locked in and put ourselves a step additional in the direction of the Commissioner’s Cup.”
The Commissioner’s Cup began in 2021 with Seattle successful the inaugural cup. Stewart has seen consideration improve on it in its few years of existence.
“It’s positively beginning to develop when you understand the motivation behind it and the bragging rights,” she mentioned.
Liberty teammate Courtney Vandersloot made the championship sport final yr with Chicago earlier than dropping to Las Vegas.
WNBA PLAYER SAMI WHITCOMB LOSES GUM AFTER NAILING THREE-POINTER, PICKS IT UP AND HITS ANOTHER
New York Liberty ahead Breanna Stewart (30) fast-breaks throughout a WNBA sport between New York Liberty and Connecticut Solar on June 27, 2023, at Mohegan Solar Area in Uncasville, CT. (M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire through Getty Pictures)
“I do know final yr in Chicago it was very high of thoughts, like we bought to stand up for Commissioner’s Cup video games. You get there it is free cash.”
Every member of the successful staff receives as much as $30,000 whereas the runners-up obtain as much as $10,000. The groups have additionally raised cash for charity with their victories all through the season. New York has earned $13,500 for the Callen-Lorde Neighborhood Well being Heart which offers delicate, high quality well being care and associated companies focused to New York’s lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, and transgender communities.
The Aces have raised $16,500 for the Nationwide Alliance on Psychological Sickness Southern Nevada.
“It means lots. It is one other solution to contain the group. Las Vegas has been so good to us,” Aces guard Kelsey Plum mentioned. “We discover methods to offer again. It places slightly additional on the video games. … Psychological well being challenges are one thing that everybody faces. This group is doing an amazing job with the youth in Nevada. … I really feel proud that we picked one thing that encompasses every little thing our staff offers with on a day-to-day foundation.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HALL OF FAMER NIKKI MCCRAY-PENSON DEAD AT 51
New York Liberty ahead Breanna Stewart prepares to go, throughout first quarter of WNBA basketball sport in opposition to Phoenix Mercury, Sunday, June 18, 2023, in New York. (AP Picture/Bebeto Matthews)
AP WNBA POLL
Las Vegas and New York remained 1-2 within the ballot. The Aces have sat atop the rankings the whole season. The Solar had been third. Dallas moved as much as fourth and had been adopted by Washington, Atlanta and Minnesota. Chicago was eighth and Los Angeles ninth. Indiana, Phoenix and Seattle rounded out the ballot.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Stewart had one other robust week, averaging 34 factors, 10 rebounds and 4.5 assists in New York’s two victories. That included a 43-point effort in opposition to Phoenix. Different gamers receiving votes included Rhyne Howard of Atlanta and Plum and A’ja Wilson of Las Vegas.
STEPPING DOWN
Mercury basic supervisor Jim Pitman will step down from his place on the finish of the season, however stay with the staff protecting his job as chief monetary officer. He additionally holds the identical function with the Phoenix Suns. Pitman shall be succeeded by Nick U’Ren, who spent the previous 9 years with the Golden State Warriors in basketball operations. Earlier than his time within the Bay Space, U’Ren was with the Phoenix Suns for 5 seasons.
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Seattle Storm ahead Breanna Stewart (30) reacts after hitting a three-point basket in the course of the first half of Sport 4 of a WNBA basketball playoff semifinal in opposition to the Las Vegas Aces Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Picture/Lindsey Wasson)
GRINER WATCH
Brittney Griner had her twenty fifth profession skilled dunk on Sunday and can end out the primary a part of the season on Tuesday evening in Las Vegas. Griner, who’s a nine-time All-Star, has continued her stellar season averaging 19.9 factors, 6.6 rebounds and a couple of.0 blocks.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Staff Stewart vs Staff Wilson, Saturday. The league’s All-Star Sport will pit groups drafted by captains Stewart and A’ja Wilson in opposition to one another. Every captain drafted for probably the most half teammates and former teammates to their roster.
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Printed : 2023-07-12 13:35:46
