NEW YORK — The New York Liberty are just one win away from claiming redemption and a spot in the WNBA Finals.

Sabrina Ionescu was the star, scoring 24 points, including a crucial jumper with 1:15 remaining, helping four teammates score in double digits as the Liberty defeated the Las Vegas Aces 88-84, taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five WNBA semifinals on Tuesday.

Game 3 is scheduled for Friday night in Las Vegas.

The Liberty executed a 15-4 scoring run in the second quarter and replicated the strategy that led them to a victory in Game 1, only even better this time.

After New York gained a 10-point lead in the third quarter, the Aces fought back, tying the game at 81 with Alysha Clark’s three-pointer, just 1:31 minutes left. However, Ionescu responded with the decisive shot moments afterward.

The Aces had an opportunity to equalize, but a sideline turnover with 10 seconds left switched possession back to the Liberty after a challenge. Ionescu then closed the game by making two free throws.

The Liberty, still recovering from last year’s Finals loss, continued their dominance in the series, marking their fifth consecutive win over the Aces this season. Key clutch performances from Ionescu, coupled with the Aces’ turnovers and defensive lapses, electrified a sellout crowd at the Barclays Center, which was packed with celebrities.

“Being up 2-0 is fantastic,” said Ionescu, who also grabbed nine rebounds and contributed five assists while hitting at least three three-pointers in her last six outings. “We haven’t secured anything yet. This isn’t our final goal; we are a driven team. We fought hard against a tough opponent. We made essential stops when it mattered most.

“We respect them and earned a solid victory through hard work.”

Brenna Stewart supported the team with 15 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds after scoring 34 in Game 1. Jonquel Jones added 14 points, while Courtney Vandersloot contributed 12 points from the bench.

The Aces started strong with an eight-point lead in the first quarter, thanks to Clark’s early scoring. However, trouble began when Kelsey Plum, who scored a mere six points after leading the Aces in the previous game, picked up her second foul just two minutes into the match.

As the second quarter progressed, Liberty forward Kayla Thornton drove past Plum for an easy layup, prompting Aces head coach Becky Hammon to call a quick timeout, visibly frustrated with her team.

Hammon shared her disappointment with her players and the referees as the Aces allowed New York to shoot 55%, leading to a 46-40 halftime deficit, which included two long three-pointers from Ionescu. The first half saw nine lead changes.

The Aces struggled to defend against New York’s inside game, allowing 44 points in the paint, while their 13 turnovers resulted in 22 points for the Liberty.

League MVP A’ja Wilson led Las Vegas with 24 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Other key contributions came from Jackie Young with 17 points, Chelsea Gray with 14, and Tiffany Hayes who added 10 points off the bench.

The Aces face a daunting challenge, as no WNBA team has ever come back from a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-five series. Winning both upcoming home games would only allow them to become the second team to reach a Game 5.

“Tonight, we haven’t lost or won a championship,” Hammon said after the match, according to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou.

“Make no mistake, we’re in for a battle,” Hammon insisted.

The status of Aces starting center Kiah Stokes remains uncertain after she left the game in the third quarter with a concussion sustained while attempting to recover a loose ball. She was attended to for several minutes before being escorted to the locker room.

This story has been updated with new details.