NEW YORK — After a historic Game 1 loss to the Minnesota Lynx, there was no particular way for members of the New York Liberty to turn the page.
Star guard Sabrina Ionescu said she can't just “flash” results. Forward Leoni Fievich watched three full games in the 36 hours immediately following the overtime loss. Veteran guard Courtney Vandersloot described moving forward as “a process.”
Liberty coach Sandy Brondello was glad that Games 1 and 2 were split over two days, giving him more time to watch film and reflect. But just after 3pm on Sunday, a new game began. And with it, a new chapter in the series was written.
While some moments felt eerily similar — such as in New York, when a 17-point deficit was cut to just two points with 3:21 left in the game — Sunday's sequel featured a relatively minimal loss in the opener. Liberty, a player who had only a limited impact, appeared. Winger Bethniya Rainey-Hamilton.
Laney Hamilton played the least minutes (26) of any New York starter in Game 1. In Game 2, Liberty won 80-66, scoring 20 points, tying a season high. With 3:20 remaining, Laney Hamilton made the biggest shot of the tournament, a 3-pointer, extending the lead to five points.
She then grabbed a rebound on the ensuing possession to the delight of a Barclays Center record crowd of 18,040.
Considering the prognosis for Brondello's wingers on Saturday, it's especially impressive that Laney Hamilton emerged as a star on Sunday. She appeared in just 28 games during the regular season, missing from July 6 to August 26 due to knee surgery.
“She's doing everything she can,” Brondello said Saturday. “I think we all know she's trying. She's not the same B that we've seen all season, but it is what it is.”
She didn't just try. In addition to contributing offensively, she was joined by Courtney Williams (who had 23 points in Game 1, but just 15 points on Sunday) and Kayla McBride (who had 22 points on Thursday, then just 15 points on Sunday). He also spent time guarding the players (who only scored eight points).
Despite the performance of Laney Hamilton, Stewart (21 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists) and Ionescu (15 points), Points), there were still moments where the two games looked the same. New York jumped out to a 10-point lead in the first quarter, but led by just six at the 6:52 mark of the period.
Liberty entered halftime with a 10-point lead, but the lead was cut to four with 90 seconds left. New York's lead grew to 11 points in the fourth quarter, but then it shrunk. With just under four minutes remaining, Liberty was leading by just two points, and those in attendance felt the same tension they felt in the final moments of Game 1.
But this time there will be no collapse.
Stewart stole three of his record seven steals in the final five minutes. Jonquel Jones hit a timely layup with 3:57 left. Fievich stopped, took a deep breath and hit a wide-open 3-pointer with 90 seconds left to extend New York's cushion to nine points.
Rainey Hamilton then pumped his fist as Minnesota called a timeout. So was Ionescu.
Collier had a modest match by her standards (16 points and 8 Williams' 3-point shot in the second half that rolled off the rim was a sign that Sunday afternoon would be different than Thursday night.
Game 3 of the 1-1 series will be played Wednesday night. Tipoff is set for 8pm ET.
Rainey Hamilton on X Factor
Laney Hamilton will be discharged from hospital less than three months after surgery to remove two separate bodies from her right knee. She came off the bench halfway through. increase He has fully returned and is still playing limited shifts in the postseason.with everyone's approval Rainey Hamilton won't be able to give 100% in this series.
But even if he fell short of his best, the 2021 All-Star still had the potential to be even better. Laney Hamilton had scored in double figures once in New York's seven postseason games entering Sunday, shooting 29.1 percent from the floor.
Liberty needed more offense in Game 2, but after making five 3-pointers Thursday, Minnesota covered Fivic better and Rainey-Hamilton got the win. She actively pulls away from the screen, made A strong drive to the basket.
When New York's offense stalled, she posted and took advantage of the switch. above A small defender in the post.
Laney Hamilton hit one of the biggest shots of the night, a corner 3-pointer from a no-look. kick out pass from Ionescu With 3:21 remaining, Liberty's lead increased to five points, 71-66. Minnesota was never able to get within one possession after that.
Her 20 points were tied for a season high. The last time she reached that total was before the Olympics break, And before surgery.
In the first race, Brondello was unable to get Rainey Hamilton on the court in the final stages because of the way he moved. On Sunday, it would have been impossible to justify keeping Laney Hamilton off the floor. — Sabrina Merchant, Women's Basketball Staff Writer
Minnesota remains resilient. defeat
The Lynx once again fell behind early against Liberty, this time trailing by 17 points in the second quarter (up from 18 points in Game 1).
but Minnesota stands firm on its policy. ball movement systemI believe that the defense will eventually break down and that pressure defense will stagnate the opposing offense. IIt looked like the equation might work again, as the Lynx nearly erased their deficit. still In the 4th quarter, the gap narrowed to 2 points again.
they are couldn't do it Coming so close to making a breakthrough and potentially taking a decisive 2-0 series lead bodes well for when the series switches to Minnesota.
Kayla McBride and Nafeesa Collier are part of the team. resilience Despite a series of mistakes for 45 minutes after the first game, their dedication shined through. Also Regardless of the result, it's Sunday. — merchant
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(Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images)