The Liberty’s Commissioner’s Cup journey started out promising, with the opportunity to defend their championship title and claim a share of the $500,000 prize. However, it quickly turned into a disaster for the team. The game was moved from Barclays Center due to the NBA draft, causing frustrations to mount even before tip-off. Ultimately, the Liberty fell short, losing 94-89 to the Lynx at UBS Arena.
One pivotal moment in the game came late in the fourth quarter. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton missed a free throw, and Kayla Thornton grabbed the rebound. However, miscommunication between Thornton and Breanna Stewart led to a turnover, allowing the Lynx to extend their lead with a 3-pointer from Bridget Carleton.
The Liberty had moments of brilliance throughout the game, with Sabrina Ionescu leading the charge. She intercepted a pass from Napheesa Collier and sprinted down the court for an uncontested layup, igniting the team and giving them a 10-point lead. However, things took a turn for the worse as the Lynx went on a 33-13 run spanning the end of the first quarter, the entire third quarter, and the beginning of the fourth. By that point, it was the Liberty who found themselves trailing by 10. Ionescu only scored one point in the second half, and Jonquel Jones didn’t score until late in the game.
Despite their struggles, Stewart single-handedly brought the Liberty back into contention with a personal 9-0 run in the fourth quarter. Ionescu also had a solid performance, finishing with 23 points and 10 rebounds. However, the Lynx’s strong second-half defense and balanced offense proved too much for the Liberty to overcome. The Lynx emerged as the winners of the Commissioner’s Cup, establishing themselves as serious contenders for the WNBA title.
The game also had an underlying storyline surrounding the venue change from Barclays Center. The Liberty expressed frustration and annoyance at not being able to truly host the title game despite their perfect 5-0 record in the Eastern Conference. This frustration was palpable even before the game, with players like Stewart and Jones openly expressing their displeasure.
Despite the disappointment of another heartbreaking loss, head coach Sandy Brondello remains optimistic. She acknowledges the scars left by these defeats but believes that they will heal in time. The Liberty will have to regroup and learn from this experience as they continue to strive for a championship that has eluded them thus far.
Overall, the Liberty’s journey in the Commissioner’s Cup was filled with ups and downs. They showcased moments of brilliance but ultimately fell short against a tough Lynx team. The team will need to address their miscommunication and turnovers while continuing to build on their strengths to achieve their ultimate goal of winning a WNBA title.
