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Breanna Stewart Leads Liberty in Thrilling Quest for Their Maiden WNBA Championship!

Source link : https://new-york.news/2024/10/17/new-york-news/breanna-stewart-leads-liberty-in-thrilling-quest-for-their-maiden-wnba-championship/

Author:⁢ Alexa Philippou, ESPN | Date: ⁢October 17, ⁢2024, 01:50 AM ET

MINNEAPOLIS — In a thrilling moment of ⁢the WNBA ​Finals,‌ Breanna Stewart found herself‍ on‌ the⁣ sidelines in the final quarter ⁢of Game 3, as her team trailed by two points. The New⁢ York Liberty had impressively recovered from an initial deficit of 15 points in the first quarter, largely‌ due to Stewart’s phenomenal​ performance,⁤ which included 30 points.

As the Liberty prepared⁢ to re-enter the game against the home crowd of 19,521 cheering fans for the⁢ Minnesota Lynx, Stewart passionately declared to her teammates, “We are not going to ⁣lose this game.”

“I could ⁢feel the⁢ energy shifting,” Stewart reflected. “If‌ we are this ​close, there’s ‌no way we’re leaving ​without that win.”

The Liberty ‍responded strongly to Stewart’s rallying​ cry.

With 11 points in‍ the last 2:10 from Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones — culminating in Ionescu’s game-winning 28-foot⁣ three-pointer — New York completed a comeback⁢ victory, edging out ‌Minnesota 80-77 and ⁣positioning themselves just one ‌win away from the 2024 WNBA championship.

Captivating Moments of the Finals

While Ionescu’s buzzer-beating shot ⁢may capture the ‍spotlight, it was Stewart’s all-around play that kept ​the Liberty alive in this crucial matchup. With⁤ her remarkable contributions, the two-time WNBA champion and four-time NCAA champion, along with her accolades⁢ of being a two-time WNBA MVP, registered 30 ‍points, 11 rebounds,⁢ and four blocks.‌ She now stands​ alone as the only ‍player in league history to achieve multiple ⁣30-point, 10-rebound⁣ performances in the Finals and the only player to have ⁢done so for two different teams, previously accomplishing ​this with the Seattle Storm.

“We don’t win this without Stewie,” Ionescu emphasized. “Her relentless efforts throughout the game helped us stay in ​it, and the winning shot is just a testament to all she accomplished tonight.”

“She ⁢was ⁣our backbone,” Jones echoed, highlighting ​Stewart’s pivotal ‍role. “Without her, we wouldn’t ‌have been⁢ in⁢ a ‍position for those ‌high-pressure moments.”

The WNBA Finals have proven to be a ⁣whirlwind for Stewart and the Liberty. In their first matchup, New York squandered a 15-point lead in the final five minutes before succumbing in ⁣overtime. That ‌game⁢ was‍ marked by Stewart missing ‍a crucial free throw that could have clinched⁣ the ‌victory‍ with mere seconds⁣ remaining and failing ‌to make a ⁢layup ​in the overtime period that could ⁣have equalized the⁤ score.

However, the Liberty rebounded in Game 2, with Stewart delivering a vigorous ⁤21 points and securing five steals.​ Entering Minnesota’s ⁢first home game, New​ York struggled against the Lynx’s intense ​defensive tactics, ⁢leading to an overwhelming eight turnovers ‍in the⁣ first⁣ quarter, which Minnesota ⁣converted into⁣ 14 points for an early double-digit lead.

Stewart began to find her rhythm in the‍ second quarter, contributing six points and‍ reducing the deficit to eight at halftime. Following the break, she exploded for 13 consecutive points, tying the⁢ game‍ and marking‌ the longest scoring streak by an individual player in WNBA Finals history.

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Her second-half performance, accumulating ⁤22 points, ranks fourth ​all-time for a‍ player in any half during the Finals.

“She stepped up at the⁢ most critical times,” ‍noted Liberty guard ‌Courtney Vandersloot. ⁤”When we​ hit‌ a dry spell, she found ways to score and ignite our offense. This is what⁢ we expect from ⁤our stars.”

Stewart’s defensive prowess proved equally formidable. Through her ​fantastic rim⁣ protection — with⁢ three blocks coming⁣ in the second half — she held the Lynx to a 4-for-15 shooting ⁣performance while serving as the primary defender and forcing four ​turnovers against Minnesota’s star player,⁢ Napheesa Collier, who has struggled ​against Stewart over the ⁢past two games.

“You ⁣can see‌ her extensive experience shining through,” ⁤remarked New⁣ York ⁣guard Leonie Fiebich. “Her impact on both⁣ sides of the ball was extraordinary. ⁤She never relented, always flying in to make crucial​ defensive plays. It ⁣was ⁤amazing to witness.”

Andraya Carter expressed admiration for Sabrina Ionescu’s preparation and composure during‍ the Liberty’s Game 3 triumph.

Game 3 reflected⁢ a familiar script, as New York recovered from a significant deficit,⁣ mirroring their ⁣previous outing where they trailed by 18 points. After their heartbreaking defeat in Game 1, Stewart ‍and ‌her teammates were eager to rewrite ​their narrative.

“I ⁣was fueled by ‌motivation,”⁤ Stewart ​shared regarding her ‍mindset heading into⁣ Wednesday’s​ clash. “I was‍ frustrated about our previous loss⁣ and I ⁤was ready to⁤ seize⁢ the opportunities in​ the matchups I had.”

If the Liberty clinch‌ one more⁢ victory,⁤ Stewart will‌ have delivered the championship that she envisioned when she joined the team in free ⁢agency for the 2023 season. This could also let ⁢her ⁣fully ⁤lay ​to rest any lingering feelings from ⁣the previous season’s conclusion,‍ where her underwhelming 3-for-17⁤ performance coincided with a celebratory atmosphere for the Las Vegas​ Aces on ⁣the Liberty’s home ⁣court.

Yet, despite ⁣the potential for glory, Stewart emphasized that the task at⁤ hand remains unfinished. “We⁢ recognize we’re one ​win away from the championship, and they will ‌certainly bring their best against us. We are prepared to meet that challenge with everything we’ve got,” she stated.

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Author : New-York

Publish date : 2024-10-17 09:32:59

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