NEW YORK – Betnijah Laney-Hamilton couldn't immediately pick her favorite moment from the New York Liberty's second win within the WNBA Finals against the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday. So listed below are some options.
Maybe she's occupied with her first 3-pointer a bit of greater than five minutes after New York's 80-66 win. That's when Courtney Vandersloot knew it will be Laney-Hamilton's night. “She looked different tonight,” Vandersloot said. “When she plays like that, we’re a different team.”
Or perhaps Laney-Hamilton will look back with utmost fondness on her final 3-pointer with 3:21 left in the competition – a three-pointer that prolonged the Liberty's lead from two to 5 points and sparked one other furious Lynx rally fourth quarter stopped. “A corner 3 for (Laney-Hamilton) is a layup,” guard Sabrina Ionescu said.
Or will it’s Laney-Hamilton's postgame hugs with Ionescu and Kayla Thornton as a record 18,040 fans at Barclays Center basked in the enjoyment of a New York victory? Or that she receives the sport ball within the New York locker room, which can be most meaningful?
The possibilities are quite a few because Laney-Hamilton's impact was immense. She matched her season high with 20 points and played stifling defense against Minnesota's Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride.
“She plays on both ends of the court and plays hard,” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said. “She’s a winner, so happy she had this success tonight and can continue to build on it.”
Bucket 🐝 has been ACTIVATED 👑@BetnijahLaney is ours @Withings Player of the sport 🔥 pic.twitter.com/C82OIprXaI
– New York Liberty (@nyliberty) October 13, 2024
While Game 1 of the 2024 WNBA Finals can be remembered for New York's historic collapse, Game 2 can be remembered for the contributions from above and below on the Liberty roster. An X factor was the important thing factor.
“You need players to go above and beyond the starters, and they did that in two games,” Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said. “And we have problems achieving that consistently. We have to have that.”
Laney-Hamilton's starring role was particularly welcomed for New York after she had relatively little impact in Game 1. Her 26 minutes in that loss were the fewest amongst New York's starters. On the eve of Game 2, Brondello was testy as he assessed Laney-Hamilton's performance. “I think everyone can see that she’s trying. It's not the same 'B' we've seen all season, but it is what it is,” Brondello said Saturday.
Still, Brondello noted that Laney-Hamilton hit 3-pointers regularly at the Liberty's free practice and during warmups before Sunday's game.
Then the ball tipped over and Laney-Hamilton immediately scored. Minnesota was consistently outmatched by the opponents she was involved with. Aggressive and open, she sank her first 2-pointer and her first 3-pointer two possessions later.
This was all part of the plan. New York taught her not to be passive.
“We know she can do it,” said Liberty star Breanna Stewart.
But Laney-Hamilton didn't at all times show it as a result of injury. She played in just 28 games throughout the regular season and missed twelve games between July 6 and August 26 as a result of knee surgery. Brondello said New York missed Laney-Hamilton's depth and grit. “She is the ultimate competitor,” Brondello said.
In their absence, players aside from Stewart, Ionescu and Jones played, which was key to the Liberty's league-best 32 regular-season wins. It was also crucial throughout the postseason, as they stormed past the Atlanta Dream in the primary round and defeated the Las Vegas Aces within the semifinals. Laney-Hamilton had scored in double figures just one other time this postseason, and he or she hadn't scored 20 points since early July.
It's a credit to the New York squad that different players can play key roles on any given night. In Game 1, for instance, Leonie Fiebich shone with five three-pointers and 17 points. Fiebich only had one basket on Sunday, and it didn't matter.
Laney-Hamilton scored 20 points within the Liberty's win. (Luther Schlaifer/NBAE via Getty Images)
“(General manager Jonathan Kolb) has built this team to withstand anything the opponents in the W can throw at us, so it's really nice to see everyone step up,” Jonquel Jones said. “That’s exactly what it’s going to take.”
The Lynx have X-factors which have emerged within the postseason. Their two All-Stars, Napheesa Collier and McBride, had success within the playoffs. But offensive attacks from Williams or Bridget Carleton or rim protection and timely 3-pointers from Alanna Smith were often the difference in Minnesota's journey.
But in two games, the Lynx haven't shown who will continually improve. Williams was held in check with 15 points on Sunday. “(It’s) a big difference,” Reeve said. “Both games (New York) got help.”
Perhaps a return to Target Center will cheer up Carleton specifically. She made just six of her last 30 3-point attempts. Maybe a Minnesota reserve will provide a activate the bench (he only got five bench points in Game 2).
After Sunday's win, Laney-Hamilton declined to offer any further details about her health. Instead, she selected to reflect on her successes.
“It felt really good to get a glimpse of what I was capable of,” she said. And it was meaningful too. Their final 3-pointer specifically modified the momentum of the sport, because the Lynx cut a 17-point New York result in two points.
History will tell whether that shot and Laney-Hamilton's overall game modified the series when the finale resumes Wednesday night.
“She played a big role in the game ending the way it did and she will continue to do so in the next two games,” Ionescu said. “We believe in them. She knows that.”
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