They did it their way.
The 2024 WNBA champions New York Liberty received their rings and raised their 2024 title banner in a pre-game ceremony, ahead of Saturday’s season opener. Then they went out on the court and resembled a well-oiled machine, looking like a team capable of repeating as champions in a 92-78 win over the Las Vegas Aces.
Celebrities on had to take in the game included actor/director Spike Lee, actor Jason Sudeikis, basketball Hall of Famer Sue Bird and New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson, to name a few.
“I think it creates a standard for anyone that comes into Barclays,” Breanna Stewart said after the Liberty beat Las Vegas 92-78 in the opener. “Whether it’s us playing or the Nets. Championship mindset and mentality amongst this franchise. It’s a special thing. Been looking forward to having this moment and celebrating with the fans.”
Stewart led the Liberty with 25 points, 8 boards and 3 assists, while Philadelphia native Natasha Cloud made a great first impression, scoring 22 points with 9 assists, 6 rebounds and 3 steals in her New York debut. Finals MVP Jonquel Jones had a double-double with 17 points, 10 boards and 6 assists for the defending champions.
“I think the similarities of Philly [her hometown] and New York, is we really just appreciate players that come in, play hard, and they give them everything they got every single night. And we’re gritty, we get it out the mud. That’s just what it is, and I think that’s how I play,” said Cloud.
With a new lineup that features Jewell Loyd, who spent the first ten years of her career with the Seattle Storm, the Aces appeared to be a team figuring out each other’s tendencies and learning how to play together. That may have been most glaring during the second quarter when WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson took a rest on the bench and Las Vegas had a hard time putting the ball in the basket. The Aces went scoreless for nearly a six-minute stretch and were eventually outscored 28-13 before halftime, where they trailed 47-33.
As the second half got underway, the Aces looked like they were on their way to getting blown off the Barclays Center floor. Yet they fought back like the two-time champions they are to outscore the Liberty 25-16 in the frame and cut the deficit to three, 61-58, before Jones drove to the hoop to put New York back up by five.
“It was great. You know, there’s some imperfect situations, but that’s part of it. I thought we played a really good game, and it’s something that we’ll continue to build on over these next weeks,” Liberty’s coach Sandy Brondello stated.
Wilson still led all scorers with 31 points and 16 rebounds, becoming only the sixth player to accumulate 100 doubles-double in their careers. Jackie Young followed with 16 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds, and Chelsea Gray added 12 points, shooting 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. However, Loyd struggled in her Aces debut, scoring only 5 points on 2-of-10 from the field.
Embed from Getty ImagesShockingly, the Aces are 1-7 in their previous eight matchups with the Liberty, dating back to last season.
As stated previously, before tipping off the 2025 season, the Liberty celebrated and also closed the book on last season by getting their coveted championship rings. Designed by Jason of Beverly Hills, the rings feature the team’s signature torch on top with symbolic touches along the sides.
A leaf rising from the concrete symbolizes New York City, while the 28 stones in the leaf symbolize the 28 years of the franchise’s existence. They are a flagship organization of the league. On the other side, a single diamond in the WNBA trophy represents the team’s first championship and the city’s first championship in basketball since 1973.
Also included are a pair of earrings, held underneath the top of the ring which comes off. Along with the earrings, the surface features a basketball court and the results of the three-playoff series that the Liberty won to earn their championship, including the final one against the Minnesota Lynx.
The Liberty are on the road to ‘The Windy City’, Chicago for a matchup with Angel Reese and the Sky on Thursday, followed by visiting the Indiana Fever on Saturday. The Aces stay on the East Coast to play the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday before playing host to the Washington Mystics for their home opener on Friday.
