2024 Copyright Wendell Cruz/Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Imagine

Being a second round pick, at pick 17. What thoughts go through your mind as an athlete who’s being picked virtually last or toward the end of draft, well her name is Betnija Laney-willams, and she was picked Number 17 in the second round of the 2015 WNBA draft, now let’s also keep in mind that even though this isn’t football, but Tom Brady was picked in the 6th round at number 199, in the words of Sid on “Love and basketball”, The were done recruiting. But like Tom, Betnija has something to say, and prove and we heard her speech as she began to speak in tonight’s game. Finishing with a high of 20pts, just 4- beyond the arc, and 8-14FG, not bad. Breanna Steweart, who also posted 21 points and contributed 5 assets. The Liberty’s defense was a key factor, as they forced 20 turnovers from the lynx and scored 26 points off those TOs.

Story cont…

Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier led her team with 17 points, but the Lynx struggled to keep pace with New York’s outside shooting, as the Liberty hit 11 of 24 three-pointers compared to Minnesota’s 6 of 20. Despite their efforts, this time the lynx couldn’t recover from an 18 point deficit at halftime. With the series now tied, the teams will head to Minneapolis for Game 3, where the lynx will try to regain momentum on their home court.

Courtney WIlliams, who was the big spark in Thursday’s opening game, was quiet, as she struggled to replicate the success in Game 2. WHile she contributed defensively, her shooting efficiency dropped, and she was less of a factor offensively as the Lynx will look to Williams for a bounce-back performance as they return home for Game 3. Also I know this is a reach of a question, but why not play Diamond Miller? I know her stats aren’t the greatest, averaging just 2.9 points a game, but when the coach puts her in for a minute, what can you expect? Id like to see more of her presence on the floor as well, everynight is a new game and you never know who will contribute and how it can affect the team, and game.

Concluding

After Game 2, the New York Liberty responded to their Game 1 loss with a convincing 80-66 Victory over Minnesota, tying the (Best of 5 series) to 1 a piece, the postgame reactions highlighted the liberty’s defensive adjustments, and resilience after their Narrow Game 1 loss, while Minnesota Coach Cheryl Reeve Emphasized the need to limit mistakes heading into Game 3.

WNBA Talk; The ReckoningSports; Christina F.

WNBA: Opening game of the WNBA finals between Minn. and New York averaged 1.1M viewers, making it the most watched Game 1 in WNBA history!

WNBA’s top story: Courtney Williams, pushes lynx to victory over New York.

Courtesy of ESPN

(Left to right- Kayla Mcbride, Courtney Williams) as Courtney drains the the three that will tie up the game, and an “and-one” opportunity to win.

2024 copyright

2024 copyright Napheesa Collier lays up a shot, while Breanna stweart (30) tries to block.

Courtney

Williams is her name folks, and if you hadn’t heard of her before, you will be hearing that name over the next few days or so. The 5’8 “slim” Point Guard, from Georgia’ who went to college at University of South Florida and drafted # 8 by Phoenix, told sources close to us that she was also surprised as she hadn’t had any talks with the Mercury front office, but was happy none-the-less, after a stint there, Connecticut, Atlanta, back to Conn. until she finally got to Minnesota where it seems she may have found a home. Where her famous three at near the end of regulation will go down in history like Teresa Weatherspoon before her. So the big question is can she do this for the next 4 games? And what do New York do to bounce back?

“It’s one game, it’s a long series. We’re definitely not coming into this thinking we have this thing won,” said Minnesota forward Napheesa Collier. “We understand what happened in Game 1. We were able to steal that game, but it means nothing. It means they’re going to come out even hungrier in Game 2 and it’s going to be a battle just like it was the first night. And we definitely want to start out better and play better as a team throughout the game so that we’re not in that position.”

It was a really tough physical game that was amazing to see. The tenacity, the grit, all the hard work, all those nights in the gym long after practice is over, this is what it’s about! It’s not always about winning, but doesn’t it feel good when you get a win? Breanna Stewart understands that the freethrow she missed was one that could’ve put the game away and what a story that would have been. With less than a second to go in final regulation and one chance to win it! And the ball dribbles out, and the clock sounds taking it into over time. I know that’s one shot she’d wish to have back

. “There were so many different things that we could have done better but I’m so happy we can get into the gym today and work on it,” said Williams

Well let’s see what they did correct? Napheesa Collier, who got snubbed as Defensive player, by A’ja’ Wilson, I’m convinced it’s a popularity thing because I’m sure Aja’s defense isn’t touching Napheesa, but I don’t make the votes, I just report the news, They played awesome defense on New York, but i tell you who they couldn’t stop and thats Big JJ, that’s Jonquel Jones folks, and she was BeastMode activated all game from the first layup she made for the first points, to the last layup she made to take it into overtime. She was simply a beast, and had New York won that game we’d be telling a different story. She finished the game with 24 pts, 10 boards, and 3 assists. Breanna Stewart finished with 18 points, 9 boards, and 3 asst. This was a quiet game for stewy, and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, who’s not a big factor, she only averages 11.0 PPG, but her presence is felt when she is on the court.

The bench for New York failed to come through just 10 pts. I always thought Courtney V averaged more points, boy was I wrong, but she is another player, whose presence is felt so large on the court, you’d think she scores 60 a game. Maybe because she averages about 5 assists a game. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s bench wasn’t too hot either, at only 10 pts, so it’s safe to say both teams performed about the same, but it came down to who wanted it more. Who wanted that win! New York thought they had the win once they started to pull away, but then somehow blew an 11pt lead in the final 3:23 of regulation. In which Minnesota scored 12 straight including Courtney Williams 4pt play. I think it was at THAT moment the air left all the people in the arena. That with Stewy making 1-2 free-throws, this game was down to the very wire!

A few Take-away’s

Phoenix won Game 1 120-116. In all-time WNBA Finals history, the team that wins Game 1 is 6-5 in the series overall (excluding 1997, which was a one-game championship).
Phoenix is now 5-4 all-time in WNBA Finals games and 15-10 in WNBA Playoffs Games.
Indiana set a WNBA Finals record for points in the third quarter with 33.
Indiana set a WNBA Finals record for field goals made with 45. The previous record was 35 (three times).
1. The two teams combined for a WNBA Finals record for field goals made with 83. The previous record was 69 by Phoenix (35) at Detroit (34), Sept. 5, 2007.

WHATS NEXT? WHAT RECORDS WILL THE WNBA BREAK NEXT? STAYED TUNED TO FIND OUT MORE…