WNBA Finals: Experienced Liberty squander numerous opportunities to claim 1st title

If the New York Liberty want to win the franchise’s first WNBA title, it will have to come at home. There were moments Friday when it felt like the Liberty had it. But they didn’t. Partly because of Minnesota’s efforts and partly because they couldn’t seem to get out of their own way.

There’s a lot of pressure that comes with a team seeking its first championship, especially with this roster. Following the 2022 season, the offseason was all about the New York Liberty. When they traded for Jonquel Jones and signed Breanna Stewart and Courtney Vandersloot, New York instantly became the team to beat.

But 2023 wasn’t their year. The championship trophy went home with the Las Vegas Aces once again, on Oct. 18, 2023.

Exactly a year later, the Liberty had a chance to close out against the Lynx. It wasn’t their day, but 2024 can still be their year. It all comes down to Game 5.

“We haven’t won anything yet, and we haven’t lost anything yet,” said Stewart, who shot 5-of-21 from the floor, after the 82-80 loss at the Target Center in Minneapolis. “We have the opportunity to do that on Sunday.”

There were opportunities on Friday as well, but New York couldn’t capitalize.

In the third quarter, New York trailed by four points before going on a 11-1 run over a two-minute stretch. A Stewart jumper put the Liberty up 61-55 — the team’s largest lead of the game. If there was a time to step on the gas, that was it. Momentum should have been with the Liberty, but instead, Minnesota had an instant answer.

Alanna Smith scored a layup on the following possession, and the Lynx snatched back all the momentum to head into the fourth quarter up 64-63.

“It’s a closeout game, and their backs were against the wall,” Jones said. “We were both trying to win, so we knew it was going to be that type of game tonight, with both teams trying to figure it out and trying to do whatever it takes to get over the hump.”

The Liberty had another chance to close things out in the fourth quarter. Jones, who finished with a game-high 21 points, completed a three-point play to tie things at 80 with 1:10 left on the clock. Minnesota missed on the other end, leaving 56 seconds for New York to work with. What followed was a chaotic possession that cost New York the game.

The Liberty ran time off the clock before Jones put up a 7-footer that bounced off the rim. Then, Stewart grabbed the rebound and attempted a putback before grabbing a second rebound and resetting the offense. But despite having 14 more seconds to work with and two timeouts, New York struggled to find an open shot, and Stewart was forced to toss up an awkward attempt that didn’t hit the rim, resulting in a shot-clock violation.

New York head coach Sandy Brondello took full blame for the botched possession.

“I actually was trying to call a timeout,” she said. “But they didn’t hear me. So that is on me.​​ That wasn’t our best possession. It was loud in here. I don’t know, maybe I just have to sprint out into the middle of the court next time. I’ve got to be better.”

Still, New York wasn’t out of opportunities. A defensive stop on the other end would force overtime, or provide the Liberty with a last-second opportunity.

They nearly had it.

But instead, Bridget Carleton grabbed a rebound with 2 seconds left and was fouled by Sabrina Ionescu as she attempted to box out. Carleton made both free throws for the final margin.

After the game, Brondello was heated, calling out what she said was “unfair” officiating. The Lynx went to the line 20 times, while the Liberty shot nine free throws.

Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve was upset with the officiating following Game 3 and mentioned it in the postgame news conference, something Brondello referenced.

“Cheryl talked about it last game, but we got no calls today,” Brondello said. “So, do I need to talk about it in a press conference? Because they were getting ticky-tacks, and we went down on the other end and got hit and got nothing.

“I’m one of the nicest bloody coaches in the league, but this pisses me off. Just be fair. If they get hit, it’s a bloody foul. But in the end, in a close game, there are things we could have done better.”

Even after Carleton’s free throws, the Liberty still had one more chance. They called a timeout and advanced the ball with 2 seconds remaining, drawing up a play in hopes of getting Jones the ball down low. Minnesota defended the action well, and Ionescu, who shot 5-of-15 from the floor, was forced to take a long 3 instead. Unlike on Wednesday, this one didn’t go in.

Despite the missed opportunities, the Liberty have one more chance to take home the title. That’s because during the regular season, they didn’t miss many opportunities, earning the No. 1 seed with a 32-8 record.

“We just have to go back to New York and win,” Brondello said.

That’s officially the last opportunity.