Sabrina Ionescu scored 24 points and the New York Liberty beat the Las Vegas Aces 88-84 to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five semifinal series Tuesday night.

Star power, a quest for a three-peat and two franchises looking for their first championships highlight the WNBA semifinals that begin Sunday.

A’ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark had record-breaking seasons in the WNBA.

Jonquel Jones scored 25 points, including five in the final minute, and New York earned its first trip to the WNBA Finals in 21 years with an 87-84 win over the Connecticut Sun.

Breanna Stewart had 25 points and 11 rebounds, and the New York Liberty beat the Connecticut Sun 92-81 to take a 2-1 lead in their best-of-five WNBA semifinal series.

The WNBA has evolved to an era where more and more post players are diversifying their game to be able to step out and shoot 3s, handle the basketball and not just play with their back-to-the-basket.

Brittney Griner had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and the Phoenix Mercury set a WNBA record for points in a quarter with 45 in the first before holding off the short-handed Connecticut Sun down the stretch for a 90-84 win.

Becky Hammon vowed before the season tipped off that the Las Vegas Aces would be shooting more 3-poitners this year.

The Chicago Sky are at full strength and moving up the WNBA standings after a slow start due to injuries.

The WNBA season is only a few weeks old and there already have been five games that have decided in overtime.

The WNBA season isn’t even two weeks old and the New York Liberty have already doubled their win total from last year and are off to their best start since 2007.

Montgomery and Tiffany Hayes appreciated what former UConn teammate Maya Moore was doing when the All-Star forward stepped away from basketball two years ago to focus on criminal justice reform. UConn coach Geno Auriemma has been impressed by what many of his former players are accomplishing off the court. They were following who they are.Montgomery and Hayes smiled at the thought that a dozen years ago the UConn players had any aspirations of being social activists. Both Hayes and Montgomery loved seeing Auriemma and his wife and family at a protest in his community last month. I knew my mind wasnt there, my heart wasnt there, Montgomery said.