The New York Liberty made history on Tuesday night in Brooklyn, beating the Las Vegas Aces 93-85 in the 2026 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup to become the first two-time Cup champions in league history.
New York controlled most of the game before surviving a late rally by Las Vegas.
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Sabrina Ionescu had 26 points, five rebounds and five assists, making this her best performance of the year in what has been a tough one due to a series of injuries. Now, in a title game, she reminded everyone why she remains one of the most electrifying guards in the WNBA.
Here’s what Sab said about her performance:
I always continued to have that belief in myself since I know the work I put in. (An) injury or two isn’t going to diminish who I am.
While Ionescu rose to the occasion, Breanna Stewart remains the team’s leader, winning the Commissioner’s Cup MVP thanks to her 25 points on 9-for-16 shooting. Stewie also was 7-for-9 from the line, with 11 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two block.
Stewart was also the inaugural Commissioner’s Cup MVP in 2021 as a member of the Seattle Storm.
How NY claimed their second Commissioner’s Cup
It was clear during the opening quarter that Ionescu had it going.
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She scored the team’s first eight points, and it was vintage Sabrina. She was knocking down 3s and driving inside. New York started the game on a 10-2 run.
With A’ja Wilson out with an ankle injury, offense was a challenge for Las Vegas.
The Aces’ bench play, however, brought them back into the game. Cheyenne Parker-Tyus scored inside late in the period on a tough reverse layup. Then, Chennedy Carter finished on a fastbreak drive, and suddenly Las Vegas trailed by just four.
Thanks to a three-point play by Rebekah Gardner and a basket by Pauline Astier, New York stayed in front and entered the second quarter ahead 27-21.
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New York remained in control for the rest of the first half. Midway through the second quarter, Jonquel Jones sank a pair of free throws, and the Liberty were back up by double figures.
Ionescu kept adding to her scoring total with a drive inside to make it a 12-point lead for the Liberty and a 12-4 run overall. Carter scored a quick 2-pointer to interrupt the Liberty party. Still, it continued with Stewart knocking down two free throws and Ionescu putting the exclamation point on the period with a tough runner inside.
At the half, New York was ahead 51-37.
It was more of the same for the Liberty during the opening moments of the third. Stewart scored back-to-back baskets, increasing the lead to 14 points.
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Midway through the third, the Aces began to show signs of life. Jackie Young scored inside, Carter made a free throw and a Chelsea Gray 3 completed a 6-0 run by Las Vegas. Young continued to ignite the rally for the Aces. She scored a 3, delivered a dime to Kierstan Bell and converted a three-point play to shrink the deficit down to just three points, closing the quarter on a 17-5 run.
Marine Johannes scored first in the fourth on a jumper inside. Bell responded with a 3 to make it a two-point game. Then Young made a layup to even the game at 67.
New York and Las Vegas exchanged buckets, but Young finally put the Aces in front, completing the comeback.
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Things were looking shaky for New York, but they responded like champions.
Astier hit a 3 to put the Liberty back in front. Stewart drilled a bank shot and then drove inside on the following possession and got fouled, heading to the line. She scored both free throws, and New York was up by five.
Leonie Fiebich scored another two points for New York before an outlet pass from Ionescu to Astier made it a 10-0 run.
Las Vegas had one more run in them. Carter and Young kept scoring from the backcourt to cut the deficit back down to five points. After Astier made a pair of free throws, Young, who finished with a game-high 31 points, drilled a 3 to make it a four-point game.
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Then, Ionescu and Stewart went to work. Both scored in the paint, then a late 3-pointer by Ionescu put the game out of reach for the Aces.
No more baskets were made, and New York celebrated their win.
The victory for the Liberty was glorious, and the game was fitting for a Commissioner’s Cup final. The stars played well, the Aces rallied and in the end, New York came out on top.
It’s a shame Wilson wasn’t available, but the Liberty were worthy winners, and the Aces fought until the end.
Now, the Liberty are the Commissioner’s Cup champions and the only franchise to accomplish this feat twice.
