Game one of the WNBA Finals did not go as planned for New York Liberty fans, who witnessed what many described as a "choke job" after a promising start against the Minnesota Lynx. ESPN reported that the Lynx had less than a 1% chance of victory with just over five minutes left on the clock. However, Courtney Williams and her team had different plans, as she noted to ESPN's Scott Van Pelt, “it’s all good, y’all talking to us now.”
As the WNBA Finals kicked off, the anticipation among New York Liberty fans was palpable. The stage was set at Barclays Center, packed with a sellout crowd of 17,732 spectators, all eager to see their team take the first step towards a championship. The arena buzzed with excitement, with fans waving white towels emblazoned with the phrase “New York ain’t for everybody,” symbolizing the city’s rugged spirit and high expectations.
From the outset, the Liberty appeared to be in control. Jonquel Jones was instrumental in establishing an early lead, delivering a stellar performance with 10 points in just the first quarter. Her aggressive play seemed like a strategic decision, as New York appeared to be focusing more on featuring Jones compared to their previous matchups with the Minnesota Lynx. Jones finished the game with a commanding double-double, tallying 24 points and 10 rebounds, and shooting an impressive 64% from the field.
New York's offensive prowess was on full display as they embarked on a 14-3 run, scoring a franchise Finals record of 32 points in the first quarter alone. They dominated the rebounding battle, with a franchise Finals record of 10 offensive rebounds in the first half and out-rebounding the Lynx 44-32 overall. Yet, despite these advantages, the Liberty struggled to convert second-chance opportunities into points—a critical flaw that would haunt them later.
Liberty fans watched in disbelief as the promising start began to unravel. By the fourth quarter, the team seemed to falter, losing their rhythm and failing to capitalize on their earlier success. The Liberty had led by as much as 18 points, and with only 5:20 left on the clock, they still held a commanding 81-66 lead. At that moment, the win probability for Minnesota was a mere 0.8%, according to ESPN, yet it was precisely then that the game shifted.
Minnesota, led by a determined Courtney Williams, began to claw back. The Liberty’s stronghold on the game diminished as they were forced into tough shots and critical turnovers. New York’s turnovers jumped from four at the start of the fourth quarter to 11 by the game’s end. They seemed to drift away from the strategies that had initially given them the lead. As Coach Sandy Brondello later remarked, "I thought we went away from our principles of play."
The pivotal moment came with Williams' stunning four-point play. After securing an offensive rebound, she hit a three-pointer and was fouled by Sabrina Ionescu. This dramatic play not only tied the game but allowed the Lynx to take their first lead when Williams sank the free throw, putting them up 84-83.
Breanna Stewart had a chance to swing the momentum back to New York. In the closing moments, she was fouled but managed to make only one of her two free throws, sending the game into overtime. Reflecting on the pressure of those shots, Stewart said, "You're just focusing on making the shot... It definitely sucks to miss."
In overtime, New York struggled to regain their form. The Lynx seized control, though the Liberty managed one last attempt to turn the tide. Stewart had a clean look, a signature left-hand drive, but was thwarted by the defense, including critical help from Alana Smith and Napeesha Collier, turning it into a difficult shot. "At the end of overtime, I had one of my cleanest looks, but... didn't make it," Stewart lamented.
Despite the loss, Stewart’s performance was marked by several milestones. She scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds, surpassing significant postseason records and continuing her streak of 39 consecutive playoff games with at least 10 points.
Sabrina Ionescu also contributed significantly, scoring 19 points with a postseason career-high of four steals. Her remarkable feat of extending a consecutive streak of games with at least one three-pointer to 80 was overshadowed by the late-game foul that altered the game's momentum.
After the game, Coach Brondello critiqued the team’s performance, noting, "They took us out of what we wanted to run. They were really aggressive, blowing up stuff. We tried to go downhill, but we went really stagnant."
Veteran Courtney Vandersloot, who finished the game with eight points and six rebounds, emphasized the importance of staying focused on the series overall. "It wasn't fun to lose that way. But, you know, moving on and moving forward, this is just part of our journey," she remarked, adopting a leadership role in maintaining team morale.
In a standout performance, Leonie Fiebich scored 17 points, setting a record for most three-pointers in a single WNBA Finals game by a rookie. Her shooting prowess, particularly from beyond the arc, added a layer of excitement to an otherwise challenging game for the Liberty.
As the Liberty prepare to meet the Lynx again on Sunday, October 13, at 3:00 PM at Barclays Center, they face a must-win situation in Game 2. The question looms: how can the Liberty break their winless streak in Game Ones of the WNBA Finals and overcome their challenges against the Lynx, who have become a formidable adversary this season?
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