With grey clouds and pounding rain and stormy winds in Brooklyn New York area, the gloom seemed to seep into the Barclays Center for the first game of the five-game series of the 2023 WNBA Semifinals between the New York Liberty and Connecticut Suns.
It was an upset of a day as the Sun came out on top defeating the Liberty by a final score of 78-63. This game makes the first time the Suns defeated Liberty in the 2023 WNBA season. In the regular season Liberty went 4-0 shutting out Connecticut.
“They were being aggressive; I don’t think we handled it well. Staying poised or composed. We had the ability to get to the second and third side and we just did not do that today. It’s a little frustrating to drop this one at home,” said Breanna Stewart of the team’s Semis loss.
The Liberty started the game very slow giving Connecticut the momentum early. It was the Sun going on a 11-3 run in the first quarter. New York started to get into the game by picking up the pace in the second quarter going on a 10-2 run, as Jonquel Jones scored ten points the first half.
JJ had herself a monster performance as she recorded her 13th Double-Double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Fans are encouraged to check out the following photo gallery from the game-photos taken by Stacy Podelski/1495Sports:
New York Liberty fans are encouraged to check out the following Post Game Press Conference video featuring thoughts from Head Coach Sandy Brondello along with Breanna Stewart and Kayla Thornton from after the Semis game against the Sun…video is compliments of the New York Liberty:
The energy was just at an all-time low for the Liberty in Sunday in evenings game. An incredible stat to show that fact was the fact that the team had zero fast break points, which is something that isn’t seen that often. There were so many questions as to why the team did not play to the fullest potential- Was it the amount of time they had off, or the rainy New York weather tied into an early game.
The one thing is for sure the Liberty are going to have to come out with a ton more energy to defend their home court on Tuesday night to keep their 2023 WNBA Playoff hopes alive.
In terms of the play of Connecticut they had everything going the right way including the play of Rebecca Allen. It was a full circle moment for Allen, as at one point in time she was on the Liberty roster.
Allen showed the New York crowd the type of performance she can put on in the playoffs by finishing the game with 18 points, seven rebounds and two assist, in addition doing a stellar job on the defensive side of the ball.
“Our Offense is like similar to our defense; we have to show them. We need to be physical, make our presence is know from the get-go. It felt like even if we made mistakes, it would work on for 40 mins being that relentless team,” said Rebecca Allen after the game.
Suns physicality and defensive schemes forced turnovers. Allen length made it difficult for Sabrina Ionescu to score. Also doing a great job on the defense for the Sun is Alyssa Thomas as she stayed on top of Breanna Stewart causing her to shoot below 30%.
During the Sun’s press conferences Coach Stephanie White talked a little on the strategy to force the Liberty to take shots. It is going to be interesting to see what the Liberty’s and Coach Brondello’s Strategy is going to be heading into the Second Game of the Semis.
As for the Sun, DeWanna Bonner finished with a game-high 20 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, also impressing are Tiffany Hayes and Natisha Hiedeman as they both had 12 points each.
“They are a great team I never feel like they are on their heels. They come to play every single game. They are one of the best teams when it comes to the league but when it comes to playoffs it’s 0-0 we didn’t think about it. It felt like a new season,” said Bonner of going up against the Liberty and playing in the Playoffs.
Time is going to fly for both of these squads as the Second Game of the 2023 WNBA Semis is going to take place on Tuesday, September 26. The start time at the Barclays Center is scheduled for 8:00 p..m.
For more information on the New York Liberty fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here: