Breanna Stewart and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton Dominate as Liberty Tie WNBA Finals

Betnijah’s Big Night: Laney-Hamilton Shines as Liberty Even the Score

by: D’Joumbarey A. Moreau

Job’s Not Finished

After blowing an 18-point lead in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, the New York Liberty found themselves in desperate need of a bounce-back performance. Game 2, held at a sold-out Barclays Center, became a pivotal moment for the franchise. The Liberty built a commanding 17-point first-half lead, only to see the Minnesota Lynx chip away and make it a two-point game in the fourth quarter. However, in a show of resilience and grit, New York buckled down defensively to earn a hard-fought 80-66 win and tie the series 1-1.

Backed by a Finals-record crowd of 18,046 fans, the Liberty turned the narrative around and proved that they were far from finished. Let’s dive into how Breanna Stewart, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, and the rest of New York’s squad stepped up to tie the series, while also analyzing key stats and moments that defined Game 2.

First Half: Liberty’s Strong Start

Coming off a disappointing Game 1, New York knew they needed to start fast. And fast they did. The Liberty raced out to a 31-21 lead in the first quarter, shooting a blistering 13-of-18 from the floor. Sabrina Ionescu played an instrumental role early, scoring 12 of her 15 points in the opening quarter. The offense flowed seamlessly with Ionescu leading the charge, dishing out five assists while adding four rebounds for a balanced stat line.

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton also showcased her shooting touch early, draining critical shots to complement Ionescu’s playmaking. By halftime, the Liberty led 49-38, thanks to excellent ball movement, strong shooting, and the energy from the roaring home crowd.

Laney-Hamilton Emerges as X-Factor

While Breanna Stewart is a perennial MVP contender, Game 2 saw another hero rise to the occasion—Betnijah Laney-Hamilton. She posted a season-high-tying 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. Her ability to step up when it mattered most cannot be overstated. Laney-Hamilton made a significant impact both offensively and defensively, showcasing the kind of play that makes champions.

On social media, fans were quick to celebrate Laney-Hamilton’s performance:

• “Betnijah Laney-Hamilton was DIFFERENT in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals 😮‍💨” tweeted espnW.

• Another fan simply dubbed it, “The Betnijah Laney-Hamilton Game.”

Laney-Hamilton’s energy was contagious. She wasn’t just scoring; she was making crucial defensive plays, grabbing rebounds, and facilitating the offense when needed. Her performance not only gave the Liberty an edge, but also injected confidence into the team.

Stewart Sets Finals Record with Defensive Masterclass

While Stewart’s offensive abilities are well-documented, it was her defense in Game 2 that made history. Stewart posted a Finals-record seven steals, a crucial component in slowing down the Lynx’s offense when it mattered most. She also poured in a game-high 21 points, adding eight rebounds and five assists for an all-around MVP-caliber performance.

Stewart’s ability to impact every aspect of the game, from defense to offense, makes her the heart of this Liberty squad. After the game, Stewart emphasized the team’s need to change the narrative after their Game 1 collapse.

“I couldn’t wait to come back here and kind of change the narrative a little bit,” Stewart told ABC. “You can’t panic. We know what we’re capable of.”

Stewart now ranks seventh all-time in WNBA Finals scoring with 276 points, just behind teammate Jonquel Jones, who sits at sixth with 277 points. She also passed Chelsea Gray to tie Deanna Nolan for ninth place in Finals field goals made.

Lynx Push Back: Collier and Williams Keep It Close

Despite the Liberty’s hot start, the Minnesota Lynx didn’t go down without a fight. Lynx star Napheesa Collier continued her strong postseason play, leading the team with 16 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. Her layup midway through the fourth quarter cut New York’s lead to just two points, sparking fears of another late-game collapse for the Liberty.

But as the Lynx started to gain momentum, New York’s defense took center stage. The Liberty closed the game on a 14-2 run, denying Minnesota any real chance at completing the comeback. Collier, who has been nothing short of sensational in this series, was ultimately stifled by the Liberty’s smothering defense down the stretch.

Minnesota guard Courtney Williams also played a key role, contributing 15 points on 7-of-14 shooting and tying her career postseason-high with eight assists. However, like Collier, Williams found it difficult to maintain consistency against New York’s increasing defensive pressure.

Defensive Masterclass in the Fourth Quarter

The Liberty’s ability to close out Game 2 with a 14-2 run can largely be attributed to their defense. With Stewart setting the tone, New York forced turnovers, cut off driving lanes, and made key stops. Jonquel Jones played a pivotal role in this defensive stand as well, tallying 14 points and nine rebounds. Jones passed Sylvia Fowles for seventh on the WNBA all-time postseason rebounding list, adding another accolade to her name.

Head coach Sandy Brondello lauded her team’s mental toughness after the game. “You can’t panic,” Brondello had told her team before Game 2, and they followed that mantra perfectly. After Thursday’s collapse, this was a must-win game, and the Liberty’s ability to stay poised under pressure showed they learned their lesson.

With the win, Brondello also tied Bill Laimbeer for second place on the WNBA’s all-time playoff coaching wins list with 37 victories.

Key Stats from Game 2

As the Liberty tied the series 1-1, the game featured several standout statistics:

• Steals Record: Breanna Stewart set a WNBA Finals record with seven steals, breaking her own personal best in both postseason and regular season play.

• Laney-Hamilton’s 3-Point Precision: Laney-Hamilton drained four 3-pointers, shooting 66% from beyond the arc.

• Stewart’s 20-Point Milestone: With her 21 points, Stewart passed Diana Taurasi for the second-most 20-point games in WNBA Finals history.

• Sabrina Ionescu’s Streak: Ionescu continued her streak of consecutive games with at least one made three-pointer to 22 postseason games, placing her third all-time in WNBA history.

• Jonquel Jones’ Dominance: Jones passed Fowles for seventh on the WNBA’s all-time postseason rebounding list, now boasting 427 rebounds.

• Liberty’s All-Time Finals Record: With this victory, the Liberty’s all-time Finals record improved to 3-11, and they also now hold a 40-45 all-time postseason record.

Fan Energy Fuels Liberty

It wasn’t just the players on the court who stepped up; the fans at Barclays Center played a pivotal role in the Liberty’s Game 2 win. The announced attendance of 18,046 was the largest in franchise history for a home game, creating an electrifying atmosphere that fed into the team’s intensity.

The crowd was particularly energized during the Liberty’s fourth-quarter defensive stand, roaring with approval after every steal and block. Fans on social media also expressed their excitement, with one tweet capturing the sentiment: “JOB’S NOT FINISHED!” This fan base knows what’s at stake, and their unwavering support will be crucial as the series heads back to Minnesota.

Looking Ahead: Game 3 in Minnesota

With the series now tied 1-1, all eyes turn to Game 3 in Minnesota. The Liberty will need to maintain their defensive intensity and avoid the second-half collapses that nearly cost them Game 2. Minnesota, on the other hand, will be looking for more consistency from their offense and to control the pace of the game, something head coach Cheryl Reeve emphasized post-game.

“Our offense was bad at a time when we really needed it,” Reeve said. “Our pace was slow, taking too long to get into things. And, you know it was terrible. And that was obviously a difficult time to be doing that.”

For the Liberty, the mission is clear: Stay composed, stay aggressive, and keep pushing forward. As Stewart said, “We’re here to win, and we know what we need to do.”

With momentum swinging back in their favor, the Liberty are prepared to go into Minnesota and fight for a Game 3 win, hoping to take control of the series.

Liberty Show Their Resilience

Game 2 of the WNBA Finals proved to be a defining moment for the New York Liberty. With their backs against the wall, they delivered a gritty, defensively-focused win that evened the series at 1-1. Breanna Stewart’s all-around dominance, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton’s breakout performance, and a committed team effort have set the stage for an exciting Game 3 in Minnesota.

The Liberty have shown they’re not just here to compete—they’re here to win it all