Aces set WNBA Finals record for most points in a first quarter with 104-73 demolition of New York Liberty as Las Vegas takes 2-0 lead in series

The Las Vegas Aces dismantled the New York Liberty 104-73 on Wednesday to take a 2-0 series lead in the WNBA Finals.

A’ja Wilson scored 26 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in the game as Las Vegas set a new record for most points in the first quarter of a WNBA Finals. The Aces’ lead grew to 21 points in the first half before taking a 38-19 lead into the second quarter.

It’s also the most points Las Vegas has scored in a single quarter all season, both in the regular season and in the playoffs.

Wilson finished 10 of 16 from the field before recording his 26th double-double this season, including his fourth of the playoffs.

She is the third player in WNBA Finals history to have at least 25 points and 15 rebounds in a game.

The Las Vegas Aces dismantled the New York Liberty 104-73 in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals

A´ja Wilson scored 26 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in another dominant performance

“We know what’s at stake and we had to make sure we went out and took care of the field,” Wilson said.

The defending champion Aces are now one win away from becoming the first team since the 2001-02 Los Angeles Sparks to repeat their championship title.

The third match will take place on Sunday in New York. No team has ever recovered from an 0-2 deficit in the WNBA Finals.

Chelsea Gray also had a double-double with 14 points and 11 assists, throwing some nice no-look passes for easy baskets. Jackie Young finished with 24 points and Kelsey Plum 23. It was the second straight game the guard trio dominated the Liberty.

Jonquel Jones (22), Breanna Stewart (14), Betnijah Laney (12) and Sabrina Ionescu (10) combined for 76.3 percent of New York’s points, with the Liberty scoring just 18 points out of six other players.

New York, which lost by 17 in the opener, entered the game a perfect 9-0 after this year’s losses.

The Aces made sure that streak ended with a dominant first and third quarter. They opened the game by scoring 19 of the first 21 points, including 12 3-pointers.

Philadelphia 76ers forward Montrezl Harrell was photographed in attendance for the game.

Las Vegas made seven of its first nine shots – a success rate of 77.8% – including four 3-pointers.

For its part, New York missed nine of its first ten attempts.

“It started with our defense,” Gray said. “We maintained our pressure, our physicality and we were able to play with our flow offensively.”

The Liberty came back from a 22-point deficit in the second quarter behind a 12-0 run, and outscored the Aces 25-14 in the period to cut Las Vegas’ lead to eight, 52-44 in half-time. Jones scored 16 of his points in the second quarter.

However, New York couldn’t carry the momentum into the third, as the Aces used a 17-3 run to extend their lead to 69-47. The Aces outscored the Liberty 28-13 in the third quarter, with 20 points from Wilson and Young.

The Liberty failed to reduce the gap and will now try to avoid being swept away.