The New York Liberty are on the brink of eliminating the defending champions, the Las Vegas Aces, after a nail-biting 88-84 victory in Game 2 of the WNBA semifinals. The win not only pushes the Liberty closer to their first Finals appearance since 2002 but also puts the Aces’ quest for a historic three-peat in serious jeopardy. With the Liberty now holding a commanding 2-0 lead in the series, they are just one win away from completing a sweep over the team that denied them the title last year.

It wasn’t just the win that made headlines, though. After the final buzzer, Liberty star Breanna Stewart shared a special moment courtside with former NFL quarterback and social justice icon Colin Kaepernick. The two embraced, celebrating not just a hard-fought victory, but also perhaps the broader significance of Kaepernick’s continued influence on athletes across all sports.

But before we dive into that iconic embrace, it’s important to recognize just how significant this victory was for New York. The Liberty have been on a mission ever since losing to the Aces in the 2023 WNBA Finals. With the Aces’ championship hopes hanging by a thread, no team in WNBA history has ever come back from a 0-2 deficit to win a playoff series-making Game 3 a potential do-or-die moment for Las Vegas.

Historically, only one team in WNBA postseason history has managed to push a series to a deciding Game 5 after being down 0-2. That was the Phoenix Mercury in 2018, though they ultimately fell short. This places even more pressure on Las Vegas, who were seen as favorites heading into the postseason after dominating much of the regular season.

Sabrina Ionescu, the Liberty’s sharpshooter, led the way with 24 points, adding nine rebounds and five assists to her stat line. Her clutch shooting down the stretch kept the Aces at bay as they attempted a late comeback. Ionescu, though, remained laser-focused after the win, downplaying the significance of the 2-0 lead. “We haven’t won anything yet. We did what we were supposed to do, but this isn’t the end goal,” Ionescu told reporters postgame.

Stewart’s clutch play and postgame Embrace with Kaepernick Highlight Liberty’s Playoff Push

Breanna Stewart, after her explosive 34-point Game 1 performance, chipped in with a solid 15 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds in Game 2. It wasn’t her most dominant showing, but her presence was felt in the clutch moments, and her leadership on the court continues to drive the Liberty’s postseason push.

And yet, amidst the grind of the game, Stewart’s postgame moment with Kaepernick may have left the biggest impression. The embrace between the two felt like a symbolic passing of the torch-Kaepernick, who remains a powerful figure in the fight for social justice, and Stewart, one of the most outspoken athletes in the WNBA, who has used her platform to push for equality and change.

Jonquel Jones also had a big night for New York, contributing 14 points while battling on the boards, and veteran point guard Courtney Vandersloot added 12 points off the bench. The Liberty’s depth continues to be a major factor in their success, with multiple players stepping up when it matters most.

As for Kaepernick, his presence at the game wasn’t just a casual appearance; it was a reminder of the power athletes hold to shape conversations beyond their sport. For Stewart, sharing a moment with him after such a crucial win was more than just a celebration-it was a statement about the ongoing importance of activism in sports.

With Game 3 looming, the Aces now face an uphill battle against a Liberty team that is firing on all cylinders. The potential sweep would not only end the Aces’ reign but also solidify the Liberty’s return to prominence in the league. And as Stewart and her teammates inch closer to their goal, that postgame embrace with Kaepernick will likely be remembered as one of the defining images of their playoff run.