Brooklyn, NY— Marine Johannes delivered a spectacular shooting performance Sunday, pouring in a career-best 27 points as the New York Liberty overwhelmed a depleted Las Vegas Aces team 111-71.
Johannes connected on seven 3-pointers, repeatedly igniting the home crowd as New York turned the matchup into a one-sided affair. The Liberty have now won four consecutive games and seven of their last eight, improving to 20-13 on the season.
The Aces, meanwhile, entered the game facing an extremely difficult turnaround after playing Minnesota on Saturday. With less than 24 hours between games, Las Vegas elected to rest three of its biggest stars — A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young.
That trio normally accounts for roughly 57 points per game, leaving a massive hole in the Aces’ lineup.
Brianna Turner, Dana Evans and Jewell Loyd moved into the starting lineup, but the replacements combined for only eight points as Las Vegas struggled to generate offense throughout the afternoon.
New York wasted little time taking control.
The Liberty opened the game with the first five points and established a 24-15 advantage after the opening quarter. Las Vegas briefly remained within striking distance, but New York carried a 50-39 lead into halftime.
The decisive stretch came immediately after intermission.
New York opened the third quarter with seven straight points, including five from Rebecca Allen, pushing the Liberty further ahead. Las Vegas went without a point for the first 5:37 of the quarter before NaLyssa Smith finally ended the drought with a layup.
Johannes saved one of her best moments for the end of the third.
With the clock winding down, she knocked down a deep 30-footer just before the buzzer, sending the crowd into a frenzy and giving New York a commanding 74-51 lead entering the final period.
With the outcome no longer in doubt, the Liberty were able to give much of their starting lineup an extended rest in the fourth quarter.
Ta’Niya Latson led Las Vegas with 20 points, while Mai Yamamoto contributed 16. Smith also provided a spark with her scoring during the second half, but the Aces could never overcome the absence of their three All-Star-caliber leaders.
The afternoon also featured a celebration of Liberty history.
Following the first quarter, New York honored dozens of former players as part of the franchise’s 30th-anniversary celebration. Among those recognized were Liberty legends Teresa Weatherspoon and Kym Hampton.
There was also a special moment for Las Vegas head coach Becky Hammon, whose history with the Liberty was recognized by the New York crowd. Former Liberty teammates came over to the Aces’ bench to embrace Hammon, exchanging hugs and high-fives before the game continued.
For New York, the victory provided another reminder of the team’s offensive firepower and growing momentum as the regular season moves deeper into August.
For Las Vegas, the loss came under unusual circumstances, with the decision to rest Wilson, Gray and Young making the result less about the Aces’ overall form and more about managing the demands of an exhausting schedule.
Up Next:
Aces: Return home Tuesday to host Washington.
Liberty: Travel to Indiana for a Tuesday matchup against the Fever.
