LAS VEGAS — Just moments after the New York Liberty defeated the Las Vegas Aces in Game 4 of the WNBA semifinals on Sunday with a score of 76-62, securing the series 3-1, Liberty forward Breanna Stewart shared an emotional embrace with her wife, Marta Xargay, both tearful on the baseline.

The tears weren’t just from the excitement of reaching the WNBA finals for a second consecutive year.

Last fall, Marta’s father, Josep Xargay, passed away after a long battle with cancer, just days before the anniversary of his death. Later that month, Marta welcomed their second child, a son named Theo Josep. (Their daughter, Ruby, who is three years old, is quite well-known in the WNBA community.)

Josep’s battle with illness had a profound impact on both Stewart, a two-time WNBA MVP and one of the top players in basketball, and her wife, a former basketball player from Spain. This connection seemed to resonate during Game 4 of the previous year’s Finals, where Stewart struggled, shooting only 3-of-17, as the Aces captured their second title, defeating the Liberty on their home court.

“This is a really difficult time,” Stewart said, referring to the anniversary of Josep’s passing. “Considering how things unfolded in the series last year, I was determined to ensure this year would be different. Marta and I discuss how we want to honor her dad’s memory. I am well aware of everything that was said — the whole team is. My goal today was to secure this win for my wife and her dad.”

Later, as Hammon spoke with reporters, she acknowledged that any comments made by the Aces after last year’s game likely motivated the Liberty in their quest this season.

“New York has shown remarkable will and determination this year,” Hammon stated. “We talked a lot of trash last year, and I’m sure they heard it. Now they got to do the same to us this year.”

Hammon, known for her passionate personality during her 16-year WNBA playing career, didn’t specifically react to Stewart’s remarks but highlighted that trash talking “is simply part of the game, and it’s not intended to be personal.”

“Ultimately, I have a huge amount of respect for the players in New York. I have no doubt about that,” Hammon continued. “I will always stand by A’ja (Wilson), but Stewie is absolutely phenomenal. Phenomenal. Stewie will certainly be remembered as one of the greatest of all time.”

The Finals are set to begin this Thursday in New York. The top-seeded Liberty will have home court advantage throughout the series and will face the winner of the upcoming matchup between the Minnesota Lynx and the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday.