Still can’t get over that hill. The New York Liberty played the Minnesota Lynx down to the wire on Saturday afternoon, but couldn’t bring it all the way home and suffered a tough loss. It was the Liberty’s third loss to the Lynx this season.
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Where to follow the game
MY9 on TV. Liberty Live and FOX Local for streamers. NBATV for the out-of-towners. Tip after 7 PM.
Injuries
No Breanna Stewart, Nyara Sabally, or Isabelle Harrison. Stewie was at practice yesterday and got some work in, but the team isn’t rushing her back.
Napheesa Collier is officially listed as doubtful, but she likely won’t suit up tonight.
The game
This is the final regular season matchup between the 2024 WNBA Finalists this season.
The Liberty will need to find a way to execute better down the stretch. Against a team like Minnesota, any lapses in judgment will be punished and defensive breakdowns become even more magnified. It takes an A+ game to beat a great team, and the Liberty will have to keep the mistakes to a minimum.
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That starts with making things tougher on Kayla McBride. K-Mac delivered the dagger on Saturday with a 29 foot three pointer in the final seconds. She got open on a Liberty miscue and they’ll work to limit her touches tonight and contest every shot attempt of hers. McBride’s release is lightning quick and all she needs is half a second of daylight before she gets a shot up. New York will toggle through various defenders to keep her off-balance and present her with different looks.
We gradually saw New York start to find their way to the rim against this Lynx defense on Saturday. That was the big change from the game at Barclays Center, and they’re going to have to insist their way to the cup tonight. Having Kennedy Burke back helps with that as she has a great first step. Sabrina Ionescu is having her best season shooting inside of the restricted area, and will look to find her way to the cup. It’s highly unlikely we see a 33-8 free throw disparity again, and New York is going to look to force the issue in this contest. If they do get to the line a lot, it’ll help keep the Lynx out of transition and allow New York to set up their halfcourt defense.
But ultimately, if they want to win, they’re going to need a big game out of Jonquel Jones. JJ played 7:34 in the fourth quarter on Saturday night, but didn’t attempt a single field goal or free throw. That can’t happen again as they need her dialed in from the top of the game and all throughout it. Alanna Smith has given the Liberty trouble all season and is adding to her Defensive Player of the Year case. As Sandy Brondello noted in pregame on Saturday, Lan is incredibly tough and has started to reach her full potential.
Player to watch: Courtney Williams
When you see a team enough times, you start to develop a lil bit of resentment. When you’re both battling near the top of the mountain, it’s gonna get intense and it’s gonna get tough. For Courtney Williams, the goal is real simple: beat the Liberty at all costs
That’s what’s up! With all the rivalry talk and chatter from the Lynx players and fanbase, New York was asked about it. Here’s what Sandy Brondello had to say
I like that! These teams want to take the other down and it’ll lead to some awesome, elite hoops.
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When Williams is dialed in, she can take over a game and kill you in the midrange area. It was essential to Minnesota’s fourth quarter comeback and the Liberty will look to make things a bit tougher on her. Court has a flair for the dramatic and can always get to her shot when the time is right. With a fully healthy Lynx team, you almost prefer her taking those shots compared to Collier or McBride (see game 5 of last year’s Finals), so the Liberty will look to manage things with Williams as the centerpiece of the offense.
Natasha Cloud woke the Liberty up on Saturday through sheer force of will. With the team struggling and a few moments away from a blowout loss, Cloud forced the issue, battled her way to the rim, and gave the Liberty a much needed shot of energy. Now that this matchup shifts to Barclays Center, the home crowd will give her and the team even more of a boost. You never want to get swept in a season series, so look for the team to match Minnesota’s physicality and do everything they can to get the win.
From the Vault
Ones in the air for Naomi as she and Jimmy Uso will be welcoming a baby into the world!
More reading: Canis Hoopus, Zone Coverage, Swish Appeal, Breakaway, SB Nation, Women’s Basketball Roundup, The Local W, New York Daily News, No Cap Space, New York Post, The Athletic, NY Liberty Fan TV, Fansided, Just Women’s Sports, Winsidr, Her Hoop Stats, Yahoo Sports, ESPN, CBS Sports, and The Next
