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.
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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.