Epic Night at the Barclays Center as New York Liberty Wait Out the Storm and earn 85-82 victory
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On Tuesday Night at the Barclays Center with the people of New York waiting out the pouring rain and thunder showers, the New York Liberty (17-5) waited out the Seattle Storm (4-19) and the incredible shooting ability of Jewell Loyd.
As the ladies were able to complete the series sweep against Seattle by a final of 86-82 on Tuesday, July 24 at the Barclays Center. Lloyd and her teammates brought the rain of a different kind, as the guard finished the night with game-high 32 points, including 15 first-quarter points, five assists, and four rebounds.
Breanna Stewart in going up against the team that she helped to lead to two championships, came face to face again with her old teammates, as she continues to create a new legacy with the Liberty. Overall, the intensity in this final game between the Liberty and Storm was electrifying to see.
Seattle started the game on a strong note, as the ladies were able to connect for shots and built themselves up to a ten-point lead in the first quarter, while also dominating in the second quarter. Things started to pick up for the Liberty in the second half of the game. It was almost like lightning strike inside the stadium and within that strike woke up the New York Liberty.
With the combination of an energized Barclays Center behind them and the support and communication of their teammates, the ladies on the floor overcame an 18-point deficit, in getting themselves to a 17-5 mark, which sets franchise record for best start to a season.
There were a ton of impressive stats from the game including the fact that they scored 32 points in the fourth quarter of the game, which is a season high in the fourth quarter scoring. After Being down by 18 points, which is something that hasn’t been seen in the WNBA.
“It felt like a playoff game in the second half, the first half a regular season, we weren’t good. We were playing too fast, not making shots. Our defense wasn’t there, but we found a way to make every position count,” Head Coach Sandy Brondello said after the game.
To see more of the team’s Post Game Press Conference featuring thoughts from Head Coach Sandy Brondello along with Betnijah Laney, Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu fans are encouraged to check out the video below…video is compliments of the New York Liberty:
Stewart and Jonquel Jones reached 300 career blocks during their first block of the contest. Jones also played another impressive game earning another double- double. JJ has been on a double-double roll, as she is on a three-game span of consecutive double-doubles since 2022. Having a strong presence in the low post Jones grabbed a season high of 17 rebounds tied for the fifth most rebounds in a single game in her career.
Another player on a Double-Double roll is Betnijah Laney as shetotaled 19 points on 72.7% (8-11) shooting from the floor, including 50% (2-4) from three, three assists, three rebounds, and three steals. Courtney Vandersloot finished the night with 10 points on 40% (4-10) shooting from the field, including 50% (2-4) from three, six assists, and four rebounds. Marine Johannès showed off some impressive shooting with a stat line of 10 points on 44.4% (4-9) shooting from the field and a career-high-tying three steals.
At first the scoring didn’t come right away for Sabrina Ionescu though thanks to determination, the guard finished with her triple-double of the season, as Sabrina broke a tie with Candace Parker for the second-most career triple-doubles in the regular season. Ionescu final stat line included 12 points, 12 rebounds, and a season-high 12 assists. Stewart finished with 22 points on 50% (9-18) shooting from the field, seven rebounds, and three blocks.
Seattle Storm Jewell Loyd showed the fans in Brooklyn why she was the 2023 WNBA All-Star MVP scoring the aforementioned game-high 32 points that included 15 first-quarter points, five assists, and four rebounds. Also having an impressive night for Seattle is Center Ezi Magbegor as she added 22 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists.
The New York Liberty homestand continues as they get ready to host the Atlanta Dream on Thursday night 7pm at the Barclays center in Brooklyn.
For more information on the New York Liberty fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here:
