Liberty's Victory in Game 4

In an electrifying showdown on Sunday, the New York Liberty vanquished the reigning champions, the Las Vegas Aces, with a decisive 76-62 victory in Game 4 of the WNBA semifinals. This win not only secured a spot in the Finals for the Liberty for the second year in a row, but it also held a deep personal significance for star forward Breanna Stewart.

Emotional Moments

As the final buzzer echoed, an emotional Stewart shared an embrace with her wife, Marta Xargay, tears cascading down their faces. The weight of recent events loomed large over this moment; Stewart had been grappling with the loss of Xargay’s father, Josep, who passed away from cancer last October. Just weeks after this heartbreak, the couple welcomed their second child, a boy named Theo Josep. Their daughter, Ruby, already a budding sensation in the WNBA community at just three years old, adds to the family's blended joy amidst this struggle.

Stewart's Determination

The emotional ties between the couple and their past challenges were front and center, particularly reflecting on Stewart’s struggles against the Aces in last year's Finals where she shot a mere 3-of-17, contributing to a disappointing defeat for the Liberty. Following that loss, Aces’ head coach Becky Hammon made pointed remarks about Stewart’s performance, comments that have lingered in Stewart’s mind and perhaps fueled her fiery determination this season.

An Incredible Performance

In this decisive game, Stewart delivered an incredible performance, scoring 19 points, securing 14 rebounds, and blocking four shots—a true display of her elite skills. After the game, she expressed how significant this win was, especially given the timing as it coincided with the anniversary of Josep's passing. “No matter what, it’s a really tough time,” she shared, emphasizing her focus on making memories with her family and honoring her father-in-law’s legacy. “I have receipts on the things that were said—all of us do. My mentality today was to win for my wife and her dad.”

Looking Forward

Hammon, while acknowledging the power of rivalry and banter in sports, recognized that her team's comments could have served as motivation for New York. “New York’s had really great will and determination all year... They got to smack us this year.

As the Finals approach, the Liberty, who now have home-court advantage, will face the winner of the Minnesota Lynx-Connecticut Sun matchup, with their determination to reclaim the title stronger than ever. For Stewart, this championship journey is not only about glory on the court but also about personal healing and family legacy, making this a story of resilience as much as competition. Stay tuned as the stage is set for an epic battle in the WNBA Finals!