New York Liberty Defeat Washington Mystics 86-64 to Reach Commissioner's Cup Final

The New York Liberty defeated the Washington Mystics 86-64 on Sunday, handing Washington its sixth loss in eight games and securing a berth in the Commissioner's Cup championship game. Breanna Stewart finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocks, a career high.

She recorded 11 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in the first half alone, becoming only the second player in WNBA history to post those numbers in one half, joining Brittney Griner.

Jonquel Jones scored 20 points, 17 of them after halftime. The Liberty led 36-28 at the break and pulled away after a third-quarter timeout when Jones scored the next seven points. Sabrina Ionescu returned after missing the previous seven games with back soreness.

She entered midway through the first quarter to a loud ovation and recorded three assists in the period, one setting up an open three-pointer by Leonie Fiebich that gave New York a 20-13 lead. The victory marked the first time this season the Liberty had their full roster available. They improved to 10-4 and have now won seven consecutive games.

The franchise has reached the Commissioner's Cup final twice before. Michaela Onyenwere led Washington with 17 points. The Mystics entered the game at 5-7 after defeating Toronto on a last-second shot Friday night and managed to cut the deficit to six points in the second half before New York pulled away.

New York will learn its opponent and whether it will host the title game once the Western Conference representative is determined by overall record.