Liberty Season Ends in Game 4 Loss at WNBA Finals
BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 18: Alysha Clark #7 of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates winning game 4 of the 2023 WNBA Finals on October 18, 2023 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
The New York Liberty fell short of their goal of forcing a Game 5 of the WNBA Finals in Las Vegas. Instead, the Aces inked out a 70-69 victory to capture their second consecutive WNBA Finals championship in Game 4 at the Barclays Center on Wednesday night. They are the first team since the L.A. Sparks won back-to-back titles in 2001 and 2002.
The Liberty led Game 4 by as many as 12 points with 7:30 to go in the third quarter, but watched as Vegas stormed back to take the lead by the end of the quarter and coast the rest of the way.
Leading the way for Las Vegas, A’ja Wilson was named WNBA Finals MVP for her superlative efforts. In Game 4 alone, she finished with 24 points and 16 boards; it was her third straight double-double of the series.
Meanwhile for New York, Courtney Vandersloot led the way with 19 points and seven boards in the Game 4 defeat.
The turning point of the game came at the 6:15 mark of the third quarter when Cayla George hit a 24-foot three pointer for Vegas that cut the Liberty lead down to eight points, 46-38.
New York’s offense went cold, missing on seven consecutive shots, including a free throw. By the time Brenna Stewart hit a bucket to increase the Liberty back up to 49-42, A’ja Wilson was on fire connecting on two consecutive buckets to bring the Aces to within five points.
Finally Alysha Clark’s bucket and subsequent free throws turned the tables, and swung Vegas in front 53-51 with 19 seconds to go in the third quarter.
Las Vegas would never trail again.
The loss spoils what was a spectacular season for the Liberty who won a franchise best 32 games.
Drafting The Ultimate USA Flag Football Olympic Team
The International Olympic Committee has officially approved adding Flag Football to the Olympics starting at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. With the news and the NFL season six weeks deep, there’s only one thing left to do. And that is to mock draft what the ultimate USA flag football Olympic roster would look like.
While we are unsure what the limitations will be regarding players who can participate, we do know the 2028 Summer Olympics does not overlap with the NFL regular season.
Sure, we are still over four years away, and it’s hard to predict which athletes will dominate the NFL by then. However, on the heels of this exciting news, it’s only appropriate that we envision a flag football Dream Team.
I’m talking about the Jordan’s, Magic’s, Bird’s of today’s NFL that would be as culturally appealing as the 1992 USA Basketball Team.
Before we build this mega all-star Olympic flag football team, let’s give a nod to lacrosse, baseball, softball, and cricket for also getting into the 2028 summer games.
What To Know About Flag Football
“This is a no-contact sport with ‘tackles’ made by removing one of three ‘flags’ – more akin to fabric belts – attached to the ball-carrier’s waist with one on each side and another at the back,” Olympics.com explains.
Though much of the offense is passing, running plays are permitted except when the offense is five yards or less from the end zone. Other rules to note are that teams are typically 12 players total. Five players are on the field at a time, resulting in a five-on-five (offense vs. defense).
The NFL has long been a proponent for flag football, even hosting championships at the Pro Bowl. Furthermore, the NFL all-stars participated in this style of all-star game competition.
For our 2028 flag football Olympic Dream Team, we will build the roster by the following categories. Quarterback (2), wide receiver (3), running rack (2), tight end (2), defense (3), and head coach.
Michael Cohen is the News and Sports Director at Fox Sports Radio New Jersey and Magic 98.3 FM, as well as a radio production assistant with Fox and Magic in New Jersey. He started his career in Somerset in 2018 initially as a news fill-in at WCTC 1450 AM, and soon moved up to higher responsibilities in the ensuing years, assuming News & Sports Director title in 2021Prior to his time with Fox Sports New Jersey, Michael was play-by-play voice for New Jersey Jackals baseball, and as well as play-by-play and color for the College of Staten Island basketball (men and women), softball and baseball. Michael began his career as a news and sportswriter with the Jersey Journal of Hudson County.
