Stewart and Laney-Hamilton Propel Liberty to Series Tie Against Lynx
A Determined Response After Game 1 Loss Despite the disappointment of losing Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart refused to dwell on it. While reviewing the missed opportunities—a free throw that rimmed out at the end of regulation and a missed layup in overtime—she found no fundamental flaws in her approach. The shots simply didn’t fall. As a two-time MVP, Stewart knew she had a chance to redeem herself and was eager for Game 2. Do you have a say in the products you use? "I became excited about Sunday as soon as the game ended on Thursday," Stewart said. Stewart’s Impactful Performance in Game 2 In the Liberty’s 80-66 victory over the Minnesota Lynx, Stewart’s presence was felt across the board. She led the team with 21 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and a WNBA Finals-record 7 steals. According to ESPN Research, she became only the second player in WNBA Finals history, alongside Alyssa Thomas, to record 20 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals in a single game. Stewart also played a critical role in containing Minnesota’s star, Napheesa Collier, limiting her to 16 points and forcing her into 7 turnovers. Both players share a history from their days at UConn, where Stewart, as a senior, helped lead Collier’s freshman class to a national title. Their former coach, Geno Auriemma, was in attendance and watched his former star pupil dominate the court in Brooklyn. “She was all over the floor, wreaking havoc on everything,” Liberty guard Courtney Vandersloot said of Stewart. “When your leader is playing as hard as she does, impacting the game in multiple ways—not just scoring—it motivates everyone else and sets a high standard.” Laney-Hamilton’s Unexpected Offensive Surge While Stewart's performance was expected, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton provided a surprise offensive boost. After battling knee issues that kept her out for 10 regular-season games, Laney-Hamilton tied her season-high with 20 points and contributed significantly on the defensive end. Her resilience and intensity were crucial to the team’s success. “She was digging deep, and that’s what we needed,” said Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello. Laney-Hamilton expressed optimism for the remainder of the series: “It felt really good because I know I’ve been struggling physically and mentally. I think this performance gives me momentum as we continue through the series.” Series Even Heading Into Crucial Road Games With the series tied 1-1, the Liberty now head to Minneapolis for the next two games. Both the Liberty and the Lynx had 16-4 home records in the regular season, so they will need to win their next games at the Target Center. The 18,046 fans at Barclays Center set a new attendance record for a Liberty game, and equally large crowds are expected for Game 3 and Game 4 in Minnesota. Stewart welcomed the challenge of playing in a hostile environment. “We welcome it; we enjoy it when it is challenging and boisterous," Stewart remarked “It’s about not getting too high or too low. Things are going to seem bigger because we’re playing on the road, but we’re ready for that.” Bouncing Back After Game 1 Disappointment The Liberty’s Game 1 loss was a stinging reminder of how quickly things can change in the Finals. After leading by 15 points with five minutes remaining in regulation, the Liberty allowed the Lynx to come back and steal a 95-93 win. The loss added to the pressure New York faces, as the franchise has never won a WNBA championship in its 27-year history. Despite the heartbreak of the Game 1 collapse, the Liberty remained positive. Stewart, who had struggled in the closing moments of that game, resolved not to let the loss affect her mindset. "Stewart cried, "I can not aspire to be the greatest and the best and then be terrified of failure. Placing oneself in high-stress circumstances increases your chance of failing. Still, I am happy I snapped the photos. My team has been there for me the entire time. Team Unity and Support for Stewart Head coach Sandy Brondello emphasized the team’s unity in both victory and defeat. After the Game 1 loss, she told Stewart, “Look, this is not on you. This is on us. As a team, we triumph together and suffer defeats together. There’s no finger-pointing.” Brondello highlighted Stewart’s ability to bounce back quickly, a quality that has made her one of the league’s most reliable stars. Brondello remarked, "We all could have done things better." "What are we going to do about it, even though it hurts?" Conclusion Stewart’s leadership and Laney-Hamilton’s breakout performance in Game 2 have given the Liberty a renewed sense of confidence as they head into the crucial middle games of the WNBA Finals. With the series tied and the stakes higher than ever, the Liberty are focused, prepared, and ready to embrace the challenge ahead. Set your own hours, and get paid well!
Stewart and Laney-Hamilton Propel Liberty to Series Tie Against Lynx
A Determined Response After Game 1 Loss Despite the disappointment of losing Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart refused to dwell on it. While reviewing the missed opportunities—a free throw that rimmed out at the end of regulation and a missed layup in overtime—she found no fundamental flaws in her approach. The shots simply didn’t fall. As a two-time MVP, Stewart knew she had a chance to redeem herself and was eager for Game 2. Do you have a say in the products you use? "I became excited about Sunday as soon as the game ended on Thursday," Stewart said. Stewart’s Impactful Performance in Game 2 In the Liberty’s 80-66 victory over the Minnesota Lynx, Stewart’s presence was felt across the board. She led the team with 21 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and a WNBA Finals-record 7 steals. According to ESPN Research, she became only the second player in WNBA Finals history, alongside Alyssa Thomas, to record 20 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals in a single game. Stewart also played a critical role in containing Minnesota’s star, Napheesa Collier, limiting her to 16 points and forcing her into 7 turnovers. Both players share a history from their days at UConn, where Stewart, as a senior, helped lead Collier’s freshman class to a national title. Their former coach, Geno Auriemma, was in attendance and watched his former star pupil dominate the court in Brooklyn. “She was all over the floor, wreaking havoc on everything,” Liberty guard Courtney Vandersloot said of Stewart. “When your leader is playing as hard as she does, impacting the game in multiple ways—not just scoring—it motivates everyone else and sets a high standard.” Laney-Hamilton’s Unexpected Offensive Surge While Stewart's performance was expected, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton provided a surprise offensive boost. After battling knee issues that kept her out for 10 regular-season games, Laney-Hamilton tied her season-high with 20 points and contributed significantly on the defensive end. Her resilience and intensity were crucial to the team’s success. “She was digging deep, and that’s what we needed,” said Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello. Laney-Hamilton expressed optimism for the remainder of the series: “It felt really good because I know I’ve been struggling physically and mentally. I think this performance gives me momentum as we continue through the series.” Series Even Heading Into Crucial Road Games With the series tied 1-1, the Liberty now head to Minneapolis for the next two games. Both the Liberty and the Lynx had 16-4 home records in the regular season, so they will need to win their next games at the Target Center. The 18,046 fans at Barclays Center set a new attendance record for a Liberty game, and equally large crowds are expected for Game 3 and Game 4 in Minnesota. Stewart welcomed the challenge of playing in a hostile environment. “We welcome it; we enjoy it when it is challenging and boisterous," Stewart remarked “It’s about not getting too high or too low. Things are going to seem bigger because we’re playing on the road, but we’re ready for that.” Bouncing Back After Game 1 Disappointment The Liberty’s Game 1 loss was a stinging reminder of how quickly things can change in the Finals. After leading by 15 points with five minutes remaining in regulation, the Liberty allowed the Lynx to come back and steal a 95-93 win. The loss added to the pressure New York faces, as the franchise has never won a WNBA championship in its 27-year history. Despite the heartbreak of the Game 1 collapse, the Liberty remained positive. Stewart, who had struggled in the closing moments of that game, resolved not to let the loss affect her mindset. "Stewart cried, "I can not aspire to be the greatest and the best and then be terrified of failure. Placing oneself in high-stress circumstances increases your chance of failing. Still, I am happy I snapped the photos. My team has been there for me the entire time. Team Unity and Support for Stewart Head coach Sandy Brondello emphasized the team’s unity in both victory and defeat. After the Game 1 loss, she told Stewart, “Look, this is not on you. This is on us. As a team, we triumph together and suffer defeats together. There’s no finger-pointing.” Brondello highlighted Stewart’s ability to bounce back quickly, a quality that has made her one of the league’s most reliable stars. Brondello remarked, "We all could have done things better." "What are we going to do about it, even though it hurts?" Conclusion Stewart’s leadership and Laney-Hamilton’s breakout performance in Game 2 have given the Liberty a renewed sense of confidence as they head into the crucial middle games of the WNBA Finals. With the series tied and the stakes higher than ever, the Liberty are focused, prepared, and ready to embrace the challenge ahead. Set your own hours, and get paid well!
Stewart and Laney-Hamilton Propel Liberty to Series Tie Against Lynx
A Determined Response After Game 1 Loss Despite the disappointment of losing Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart refused to dwell on it. While reviewing the missed opportunities—a free throw that rimmed out at the end of regulation and a missed layup in overtime—she found no fundamental flaws in her approach. The shots simply didn’t fall. As a two-time MVP, Stewart knew she had a chance to redeem herself and was eager for Game 2. Do you have a say in the products you use? "I became excited about Sunday as soon as the game ended on Thursday," Stewart said. Stewart’s Impactful Performance in Game 2 In the Liberty’s 80-66 victory over the Minnesota Lynx, Stewart’s presence was felt across the board. She led the team with 21 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and a WNBA Finals-record 7 steals. According to ESPN Research, she became only the second player in WNBA Finals history, alongside Alyssa Thomas, to record 20 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals in a single game. Stewart also played a critical role in containing Minnesota’s star, Napheesa Collier, limiting her to 16 points and forcing her into 7 turnovers. Both players share a history from their days at UConn, where Stewart, as a senior, helped lead Collier’s freshman class to a national title. Their former coach, Geno Auriemma, was in attendance and watched his former star pupil dominate the court in Brooklyn. “She was all over the floor, wreaking havoc on everything,” Liberty guard Courtney Vandersloot said of Stewart. “When your leader is playing as hard as she does, impacting the game in multiple ways—not just scoring—it motivates everyone else and sets a high standard.” Laney-Hamilton’s Unexpected Offensive Surge While Stewart's performance was expected, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton provided a surprise offensive boost. After battling knee issues that kept her out for 10 regular-season games, Laney-Hamilton tied her season-high with 20 points and contributed significantly on the defensive end. Her resilience and intensity were crucial to the team’s success. “She was digging deep, and that’s what we needed,” said Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello. Laney-Hamilton expressed optimism for the remainder of the series: “It felt really good because I know I’ve been struggling physically and mentally. I think this performance gives me momentum as we continue through the series.” Series Even Heading Into Crucial Road Games With the series tied 1-1, the Liberty now head to Minneapolis for the next two games. Both the Liberty and the Lynx had 16-4 home records in the regular season, so they will need to win their next games at the Target Center. The 18,046 fans at Barclays Center set a new attendance record for a Liberty game, and equally large crowds are expected for Game 3 and Game 4 in Minnesota. Stewart welcomed the challenge of playing in a hostile environment. “We welcome it; we enjoy it when it is challenging and boisterous," Stewart remarked “It’s about not getting too high or too low. Things are going to seem bigger because we’re playing on the road, but we’re ready for that.” Bouncing Back After Game 1 Disappointment The Liberty’s Game 1 loss was a stinging reminder of how quickly things can change in the Finals. After leading by 15 points with five minutes remaining in regulation, the Liberty allowed the Lynx to come back and steal a 95-93 win. The loss added to the pressure New York faces, as the franchise has never won a WNBA championship in its 27-year history. Despite the heartbreak of the Game 1 collapse, the Liberty remained positive. Stewart, who had struggled in the closing moments of that game, resolved not to let the loss affect her mindset. "Stewart cried, "I can not aspire to be the greatest and the best and then be terrified of failure. Placing oneself in high-stress circumstances increases your chance of failing. Still, I am happy I snapped the photos. My team has been there for me the entire time. Team Unity and Support for Stewart Head coach Sandy Brondello emphasized the team’s unity in both victory and defeat. After the Game 1 loss, she told Stewart, “Look, this is not on you. This is on us. As a team, we triumph together and suffer defeats together. There’s no finger-pointing.” Brondello highlighted Stewart’s ability to bounce back quickly, a quality that has made her one of the league’s most reliable stars. Brondello remarked, "We all could have done things better." "What are we going to do about it, even though it hurts?" Conclusion Stewart’s leadership and Laney-Hamilton’s breakout performance in Game 2 have given the Liberty a renewed sense of confidence as they head into the crucial middle games of the WNBA Finals. With the series tied and the stakes higher than ever, the Liberty are focused, prepared, and ready to embrace the challenge ahead. Set your own hours, and get paid well!