Breanna Stewart has already won a Commissioner’s Cup championship. She hopes to lead New York to this year’s season tournament title game for a chance at another.
The Aces have already secured a place in the final to be played in Las Vegas on August 15. The Aces won the Cup last year and are looking to defend their title.
The Liberty need a win over Indiana on Wednesday or a Connecticut loss in Chicago to earn a trip to Las Vegas to play the Aces in the championship game. New York and Connecticut are tied with one game to play and have the tiebreaker over the Sun.
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New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) drives to the basket during a WNBA game between the New York Liberty and the Connecticut Sun on June 27, 2023, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
«We have to go and take care of business,» Stewart said after practice Monday. «Make sure you’re locked in and take one more step towards the Commissioner’s Cup.»
The Commissioner’s Cup began in 2021 with Seattle winning the inaugural cup. Stewart has seen increased attention on it in its few years of existence.
«It’s definitely starting to grow once you realize the incentive behind it and the bragging rights,» he said.
Liberty teammate Courtney Vandersloot reached the championship game last year with Chicago before losing to Las Vegas.
WNBA PLAYER SAMI WHITCOMB LOSES RUBBER AFTER A THREE POINT, PICKS IT UP AND HIT ANOTHER
New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) breaks up fast breaks during a WNBA game between the New York Liberty and the Connecticut Sun on June 27, 2023, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
«I know last year in Chicago was very important, like we had to get up for the Commissioner’s Cup games. You get there, it’s free money.»
Each member of the winning team receives up to $30,000 while runners-up receive up to $10,000. Teams have also raised money for charity with their victories throughout the season. New York has won $13,500 for the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, which provides quality, sensitive healthcare and related services for New York’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.
The Aces have raised $16,500 for the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southern Nevada.
«It means a lot. It’s another way to get the community involved. Las Vegas has been so good to us,» Aces guard Kelsey Plum said. «We find ways to give back. It puts a little more into the games… Mental health challenges are something everyone faces. This organization is doing a tremendous job with the youth of Nevada… I’m proud that they chose something that it covers everything that our team deals with on a day-to-day basis.
NIKKI MCCRAY-PENSON, WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME, DEATH AT 51
New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart prepares to pass during the first quarter of a WNBA basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury, Sunday, June 18, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Baby Matthews)
AP WNBA POLL
Las Vegas and New York were 1-2 in the poll. The Aces have sat at the top of the standings all season. The Sun were third. Dallas moved up to fourth place and was followed by Washington, Atlanta and Minnesota. Chicago was eighth and Los Angeles ninth. Indiana, Phoenix and Seattle completed the survey.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Stewart had another strong week, averaging 34 points, 10 rebounds and 4.5 assists in New York’s two wins. That included a 43-point effort against Phoenix. Other players receiving votes included Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard and Las Vegas’ Plum and A’ja Wilson.
LOWER
Mercury general manager Jim Pitman will step down at the end of the season, but will remain with the team maintaining his role as chief financial officer. He also holds the same position with the Phoenix Suns. Pitman will be replaced by Nick U’Ren, who spent the last nine years with the Golden State Warriors in basketball operations. Prior to his time in the Bay Area, U’Ren was with the Phoenix Suns for five seasons.
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Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart (30) reacts after scoring a three-point basket during the first half of Game 4 of a WNBA basketball playoff semifinal against the Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday, September 6, 2022. in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
GRINER WATCH
Brittney Griner had her 25th professional dunk on Sunday and will finish the first part of the season Tuesday night in Las Vegas. Griner, a nine-time All-Star, has continued his stellar season averaging 19.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.0 blocks.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Team Stewart vs Team Wilson, Saturday. The league’s All-Star Game will pit the teams recruited by captains Stewart and A’ja Wilson against each other. Each captain recruited for the most part teammates and former teammates on his roster.