 |
|
 |
||
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|||
Greater Ozarks MFA Agri Services – Ozark, Ash Grove & Marshfield. |
|
Printable Page
06/29 12:56 CDT Liberty and Aces chase history in Commissioner's Cup final,
with a 2nd title at stake
Liberty and Aces chase history in Commissioner's Cup final, with a 2nd title at
stake
By DOUG FEINBERG
AP Basketball Writer
NEW YORK (AP) --- The New York Liberty or Las Vegas Aces will make history on
Tuesday in the Commissioner's Cup championship as the winner will become the
first franchise to win the in-season tournament twice.
There have been five different winners in the five years of the tournament. Las
Vegas was victorious in 2022 and the Liberty beat the Aces the next season.
New York will host the game on Tuesday, coming off a West Coast road trip that
saw the team drop its last two games to Seattle and Golden State. The Liberty
beat Las Vegas last Tuesday.
"The toughest part is that we fly cross-country (Monday) and have to play the
next day," Liberty star Breanna Stewart said after a loss to the Valkyries on
Sunday. "But we're very familiar with Vegas' game, obviously knowing there's
gonna be some tweaks and changes to their scout and also ours."
The Aces played in Chicago on Sunday afternoon.
The winning team will make $500,000 in prize money to be split amongst the
players. Even with the increased salaries that WNBA players make, the average
near $600,000 and the minimum at $270,000, the extra $30,000 they'll make by
winning the Cup still means something to the players.
"$30,000 is still $30,000," Liberty forward Jonquel Jones said smiling.
The Liberty and Aces also are raising money for their chosen charities through
the Commissioner's Cup. New York made $18,000 for the African American Policy
Forum while Las Vegas earned $19,000 for the Public Education Foundation.
This is the second time that New York is hosting the championship game. The
Liberty lost to Minnesota in 2024 with the game played at UBS Arena since
Barclays Center wasn't available that night.
Power poll rankings Minnesota remained atop the power poll this week while Las Vegas fell to second after the two teams were tied last week. Golden State climbed three spots to third with New York and Atlanta next. Dallas, Indiana and Washington followed the Dream. Toronto was ninth with Phoenix 10th. Seattle jumped up to 11th with Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland and Connecticut rounding out the poll.
Marathon game Washington and Portland matched the longest game in WNBA history when the Mystics won in four overtimes on Sunday. The Mystics also were part of the only other four OT game back in 2001. They won that one too.
Encore performance Marina Mabrey will look to follow up her record-tying 53 point game on Sunday when the Toronto Tempo host the Dallas Wings. Mabrey matched the record held by A'ja Wilson and Liz Cambage when she had 53 points against Los Angeles last Thursday. She warmed up before the team played Phoenix on Saturday, but neck spasms caused her to miss the game.
Player of the week Dominique Malonga of Seattle was the AP player of the week. She averaged 24.3 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks to help the Storm go 2-1. Olivia Miles of Minnesota, A'ja Wilson of Las Vegas and Gabby Williams of Golden State also received votes.
Game of the week Minnesota at New York, Friday. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve will try and become the all-time victories leader in WNBA history by breaking a tie with Mike Thibault at 379 wins. The Lynx have the best record in the WNBA at 15-4. New York has dropped four of its past five games. ___ AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
Power poll rankings Minnesota remained atop the power poll this week while Las Vegas fell to second after the two teams were tied last week. Golden State climbed three spots to third with New York and Atlanta next. Dallas, Indiana and Washington followed the Dream. Toronto was ninth with Phoenix 10th. Seattle jumped up to 11th with Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland and Connecticut rounding out the poll.
Marathon game Washington and Portland matched the longest game in WNBA history when the Mystics won in four overtimes on Sunday. The Mystics also were part of the only other four OT game back in 2001. They won that one too.
Encore performance Marina Mabrey will look to follow up her record-tying 53 point game on Sunday when the Toronto Tempo host the Dallas Wings. Mabrey matched the record held by A'ja Wilson and Liz Cambage when she had 53 points against Los Angeles last Thursday. She warmed up before the team played Phoenix on Saturday, but neck spasms caused her to miss the game.
Player of the week Dominique Malonga of Seattle was the AP player of the week. She averaged 24.3 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks to help the Storm go 2-1. Olivia Miles of Minnesota, A'ja Wilson of Las Vegas and Gabby Williams of Golden State also received votes.
Game of the week Minnesota at New York, Friday. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve will try and become the all-time victories leader in WNBA history by breaking a tie with Mike Thibault at 379 wins. The Lynx have the best record in the WNBA at 15-4. New York has dropped four of its past five games. ___ AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
