The New York Liberty have set their sights on revenge. Taking on the Las Vegas Aces in a rematch of 2023’s WNBA Finals, the Liberty will host the Aces at home for Game 1 of the semifinals. New York’s sweep of Las Vegas in the regular season series may be a good omen, possibly winning the second round too. But as Breanna Stewart gets ready to take on A’ja Wilson, a famous fan from another sport has emerged.

A few hours ago, the New York Jets made an X post with the caption, “@ashtyn reppin’ @nyliberty & @breannastewart ahead of today’s game 🏀 🗽” It showed the Jets’ safety Ashtyn Davis in Stewart’s No. 30 Liberty jersey, clearly showing his preferences for the upcoming matchup. While the W semifinals begin on a football Sunday, and the Jets are playing the Broncos, the sports love in NYC is unreal!

The Liberty reposted the tweet with a similar sentiment, simply captioning it, “REAL.🗽” It will be an emotionally charged first game for Breanna Stewart and Co., who told the New York Post yesterday, “No [we haven’t watched last year’s tape]. The feelings, yes, but the tape, no. Not being satisfied, we still have that chip on our shoulder. And we know how important home-court advantage is these first games.”

Meanwhile, A’ja Wilson’s squad will be looking for its third consecutive championship after a brilliant victory last year. The Aces lifted the 2023 trophy at Barclays Center, home of the Liberty, and the sting of that loss is still fresh. Even in 2024, these are two of the top powerhouses in the W, and it certainly makes for an entertaining fact that the first game of their postseason matchup is in ‘the Big Apple’. Talk about home-court advantage!

Their ‘sixth man’, aka the crowd, will be their loudest supporter. Even coach Sandy Brondello admitted to the ‘chills‘ the atmosphere gives her, while Aces coach Becky Hammon calls the Liberty the “best team all year.”

“We want to win…for New York,” says Breanna Stewart and NY Liberty’s coach Sandy Brondello

The Liberty will not let the Aces make their wish for a three-peat become reality so easily. When New York swept Las Vegas in the regular season, A’ja Wilson was tearful at the post-game presser. As the first game begins at the home of last year’s runner-ups soon, HC Sandy Brondello told reporter Noa Dalzell, “The atmosphere, it does give me chills. We want to win, and not just for the players, but also for New York.” While the city might be famous for its baseball once upon a time, all sports have made it their home now.

Meanwhile, LV Aces coach Becky Hammon seems more excited by the team than the stage of the postseason they have reached. “I don’t even think we’re looking at it as the semis,” Hammon said. “We’re looking at it as the New York Liberty, and we got mad respect for them. Kicked our butt three games. They’ve been the best team all year.”

The league-best team going 32-8 takes on their rivals in Game 1 of the best-of-five knockouts at noon today. Two superteams battling for dominance, two top players leading the charge, and two veteran coaches locked in battle. It’s going to be a popcorn game!