To say that Game 1 of this year’s WNBA Finals was a gut punch for the New York Liberty was an understatement.
Sandy Brondello’s Liberty had a 1-0 lead in their sights only to self-destruct at the end of regulation with the Minnesota Lynx and give the game away in the closing moments.
The story of Game 2 was obvious – how would New York respond mentally to such a crushing defeat. The answer was by righting the ship – and finishing the job that the Liberty should have finished in Game 1.
Game 2 of the WNBA Finals saw what was recorded as the largest crowd in the more than decade-long history of the Barclays Center as over 18,000 packed the Brooklyn hoops cathedral in hopes of seeing the seafoam, black and copper even the series at 1-1.
Unlike Game 1 when over 17,000 hearts were in pieces, those fans that packed The Clays went home happy as the Liberty evened the series with Minnesota with the final score being 80-66.
Early on, the Liberty wanted to turn Game 2 into a track meet. It was a track meet the Lib was winning as the team jumped out to a 31-21 advantage over the Lynx.
In the first half, New York’s lead was as big as 17 points. At one point in the fourth quarter the Lynx had trimmed what was a double-digit Liberty lead to two at 64-62. Was Game 2 about to be a case of déjà vu?
The Liberty would not allow lightning to strike twice in the same place. Unlike Game 1, New York was the team that put together a strong finish. By virtue of scoring 16 of the game’s final 20 points, New York ensured this one would only need four quarters to determine a winner and that this Finals would indeed be 1-1 going to Game 3 at Target Center.
The Liberty had four players in double-digits for points. New York’s efforts were once again led by Breanna Stewart who scored 21 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out five assists in over 38 minutes of play. The seven steals and one block she collected also were a big help to the Liberty’s cause.
This was not the case in Game 1, but Betnijah Laney-Hamilton resembled more of the Betnijah Laney-Hamilton Liberty fans have come to know and love over the years. She only tallied five points in that Game 1 Lib Loyals would rather forget. She had a 20-point effort in Game 2 and was true on four of her six attempts from downtown.
New York also got another big game from Sabrina Ionescu who saw over 36 minutes of court time. A 15-point, five-assist, four-rebound and two-steal effort from Ionescu also was instrumental in Sunday afternoon’s Liberty victory.
Jonquel Jones also played a big role in that Liberty victory. Jones was one rebound shy of a double-double and finished Sunday’s contest with 14 points and nine rebounds. All-rookie recipient Leonie Fiebich also was part of New York’s starting five and grabbed five rebounds.
As for Minnesota, the Lynx had four players reach double-digits for points…in Game 1. In Game 2, three accomplished said feat.
The first was Napheesa Collier who led all Minnesota point-getters with 16. She also hauled in eight rebounds, collected four steals and sent out three assists.
Game 1’s hero Courtney Williams saw a bit over 30 minutes of playing time and contributed 15 points, eight assists, six rebounds and one steal to the Lynx cause.
Also seeing more than 30 minutes of playing time was Alanna Smith. It was a 14-point effort for her.
Following a travel day and a practice day, the WNBA Finals will resume on Wednesday as the scene shifts from the Big Apple to the Twin Cities.
With the series knotted up at a game apiece, there will be at the very least a Game 4. There theoretically could be more pressure on the Lynx to win both games at home. For the Liberty, Game 1 may look more like a footnote. The goal for New York is to simply get one of two in Minnesota. That way, the Liberty guarantee a Game 5 back at Barclays.
Our guess is the Lynx want nothing to do with a season-deciding Game 5 in what will surely be a hostile environment back at the intersection of Atlantic and Flatbush…
