Liberty Surge to Statement Win Over Bucks
The New York Liberty continued their strong start to the season with a dominant 92-78 victory over the reigning champion Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night.
Key Moments
The game was tight throughout the first half, with the Liberty holding a slim 43-41 lead at the break. But New York came out of the locker room on fire, opening the third quarter on a 17-4 run to take control of the contest. Sabrina Ionescu sparked the surge, scoring 11 of her game-high 24 points in the period.
The Liberty's defense also clamped down in the second half, limiting the Bucks' scoring opportunities and forcing 16 turnovers on the night. Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones combined for 35 points, 19 rebounds, and 7 blocks to anchor the effort on both ends.
Player Impact
Ionescu's all-around brilliance was on full display, as the Liberty star added 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals to her scoring outburst. Stewart continued her MVP-caliber season, while Jones was a force in the paint at both ends.
For the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists, but he didn't get enough support from his teammates on a night the Liberty defense swarmed them.
TL;DR
- The New York Liberty cruised to a 92-78 win over the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks behind a dominant second-half performance.
- Sabrina Ionescu fueled a decisive third-quarter run with 11 of her 24 points, while Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones dominated on both ends.
- The Liberty's stifling defense forced 16 Bucks turnovers and held Giannis Antetokounmpo in check, continuing New York's strong start to the season.