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Liberty advance to WNBA Finals after toppling defending champion Aces

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Liberty advance to WNBA Finals after toppling defending champion Aces

LAS VEGAS — The New York Liberty have been waiting nearly 12 months for this. From the moment Courtney Vandersloot’s jumper misfired in the waning seconds of Game 4 of the 2023 Finals, the Liberty were chasing revenge, a chance to redeem themselves after an opportunity lost and to even the score against the Las Vegas Aces.

“Remember how it feels,” coach Sandy Brondello said earlier in the series. “It’s in the past. but we don’t forget how we felt in that moment. So if you need motivation, remember how you felt after game 4.”

The opportunity for redemption presented itself a round earlier than expected, leaving New York still short of the ultimate prize. But after spending the last few weeks saying they hadn’t accomplished anything, the Liberty did achieve one goal Sunday — they dethroned the two-time defending champs.

This was personal for New York, who referenced the trash talk from the Aces after winning their 2023 title. The Liberty won’t consider this season a success until winning three more games – they can’t, considering they already advanced to the finals a year ago – but the emotions poured through nonetheless.

“I have receipts on the things that were said, the entire team does,” Breanna Stewart said.

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After struggling in the elimination loss this time last year, Stewart led the way in the encore with 19 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and four blocks. In a tense, arhythmic Game 4 Sunday, New York kept the Aces at bay the entire afternoon before pulling away with a 16-2 run in the fourth quarter to prevail 76-62 and take the semifinal series. The Liberty advance to the WNBA Finals for the sixth time in franchise history, while the Aces fall short of a title for the first time since Becky Hammon took over as coach.

New York entered Michelob ULTRA Arena and took this game from the home team. Following a Jackie Young 3-pointer to open the proceedings, the Liberty reeled off a 10-0 run and never trailed again. The Aces pulled within one on a couple of instances but could never get over the hump. New York’s veterans always found a way to end the rally, whether it was Jonquel Jones sinking a 3-pointer, Vandersloot driving her way to the basket or Stewart hitting an impossible runner with her never-ending arms.

The Liberty’s length spooked Las Vegas all night, as the Aces even saw shadows on open shots. Young wouldn’t hit another basket the rest of the night — her lone potential make coming on a halfcourt heave after the third-quarter buzzer — and Las Vegas shot 21 of 64 from the field, including 7 of 30 on 3s. Three of those came in the final 3:20 when the Aces were already trailing by 14 and out of time to complete the comeback. At that point, the home fans were exiting the building with the New York faithful behind their bench exhorting their return to the finals.

Before the series started, Las Vegas conceded that the Liberty had been the best team all year, and Hammon reiterated that after the game.

“Their group earned it, they earned it all year,” Hammon said. “(That) team was put together to take us out, and they did.”

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(Photo: Ethan Miller / Getty Images)

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Becky Lynch enters exclusive WWE club with Women’s Intercontinental Championship win at WrestleMania 42

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Becky Lynch enters exclusive WWE club with Women’s Intercontinental Championship win at WrestleMania 42

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Becky Lynch entered an atmosphere no other WWE women’s superstar has ever reached as she won the Women’s Intercontinental Championship over AJ Lee on Saturday night at WrestleMania 42.

Lynch became the first person to hold the Women’s Intercontinental Championship three times after she pinned Lee. She first won the title against Lyra Valkyria in June 2025 and then again against Maxxine Dupri in November.

Becky Lynch celebrates with the belt after defeating AJ Lee during their women’s Intercontinental Championship match at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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She dropped the belt to Lee at the Elimination Chamber, sparking a monthslong feud with her.

Lee gave Lynch the chance at the title in the weeks prior to WrestleMania 42. But it appeared Lee played right into Lynch’s plans. Despite arguing with referee Jessica Carr for most of the match, Lynch was able to tactfully tear down a rope buckle and use it to her advantage.

Lynch hit Lee with a Manhandle Slam and pinned her for the win.

WWE STARS REVEAL WHAT MAKES WRESTLEMANIA SO SPECIAL: ‘IT’S THE SUPER BOWL OF PRO WRESTLING’

AJ Lee reacts after losing to Becky Lynch in their Women’s Intercontinental Championship match at WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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It’s the second straight year Lynch will leave Las Vegas as champion. She returned to WWE at WrestleMania 41, teaming with Valkyria, to win the women’s tag titles. She will now leave Allegiant Stadium as the women’s intercontinental champion.

Lynch is now a seven-time women’s champion, three-time women’s intercontinental champion and two-time tag team champion.

Becky Lynch withstands AJ Lee during their Women’s Intercontinental Championship match on night one of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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Lee’s reign as champion ended really before it could really begin. WrestleMania 42 was her first appearance at the event in 11 years. It’s unclear where Lee will go from here.

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Letters to Sports: Clippers were oh so close, yet so far

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Letters to Sports: Clippers were oh so close, yet so far

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The Clippers’ season has come to an end but better than anyone expected. No consolation but a great job by head coach Tyronn Lue for guiding the Clippers from a disastrous 6-21 start and finishing with more than 40 wins.

Coach Lue led the team, overcoming major obstacles throughout the season with a player investigation, injuries, internal strife and major roster changes at the trade deadline. As usual for Clipper fans, wait till next year.

Wayne Muramatsu
Cerritos

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The Clippers are the NBA’s version of Stealers Wheel’s “Stuck in the Middle With You.” Yes, they have had 15 straight seasons of playing .500 or better, and owner Steve Ballmer has brought them respectability, but for their entire 56-year existence — which has contained many clowns and jokers — they still have never [attained] their goal of winning (or even reaching) the NBA Finals.

Ken Feldman
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‘The Naked Gun’ actor Paul Walter Hauser bloodies opponent at Maple Leaf Pro’s first US show

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‘The Naked Gun’ actor Paul Walter Hauser bloodies opponent at Maple Leaf Pro’s first US show

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Paul Walter Hauser is an actor who has been in “The Naked Gun,” “Blackbird,” and “Richard Jewell.” But on Friday night at Maple Leaf Pro’s first U.S. event, MLP Multiverse, there was no acting going on.

Hauser squared off against QT Marshall in a sin city street fight at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. It was the final show of Slam Fest. The two pro wrestlers pulled out all the stops and left the ring in complete disarray.

Paul Walter Hauser competed against QT Marshall at Maple Leaf Pro Multiverse on April 18, 2026 in Las Vegas. (Fox News Digital)

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It was a rematch of their brawl at Ring of Honor’s Death Before Dishonor event. Marshall went on the attack first, throwing in all kinds of foreign objects into the ring, including a piece of wood wrapped with barbed wire, a table, a cane, chairs and even a door was brought into the match.

Hauser was able to regain momentum in the match. He set up the barbed-wire object in the corner. Marshall countered and was trying to whip Hauser into the barbed wire. However, Hauser stopped himself. As Marshall tried to take Hauser by surprise, the movie star avoided Marshall and tossed him into the barbed wire.

Marshall was busted open, but wasn’t done. Hauser was trying to inflict more pain. He set up a table near one corner of the ring and poured thumbtacks on top of it. Marshall was able to powerbomb Hauser through the tacked table.

Paul Walter Hauser is pictured on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (Nathan Congleton/NBC)

BLUE PANTHER AND ÚLTIMO GUERRERO STEAL THE SHOW AT CMLL’S FIRST-EVER US EVENT IN LAS VEGAS

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Hauser was left with thumbtacks in his back and one in his head. He managed to power through and put Marshall into a sharpshooter. Marshall tapped out. Hauser picked up the victory.

Hauser got his start in pro wrestling in 2023 at Pro Wrestling Revolver. He worked his way through appearances at All Elite Wrestling before he signed with Major League Wrestling in 2024.

He’s currently Progress Wrestling’s Progress proteus champion.

Elsewhere, Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) world heavyweight champion Hechicero defended his championship against Jonathan Gresham, Maple Leaf Pro Canadian women’s champion Gisele Shaw fended off Shotzi Blackheart, Persephone and surprise entrant Killer Kelly to keep the title.

Mistico, Mascara Dorada and Amazing Red defeated The Rascalz at Maple Leaf Pro Multiverse on April 18, 2026 in Las Vegas. (Fox News Digital)

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The show started with Subculture, the tag team duo of Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster, defeated Vaughn Vertigo and Guy Cool. The Demand’s Ricochet, Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona defeated Sidney Akeem, Michael Oku and Rich Swaan, Steve Borden defeated Kiran Gray and Mistico, Mascara Dorada, Amazing Red defeated The Rascalz – Desmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz and Myron Reed.

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