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Breanna Stewart wasn't about to let history repeat itself. In Game 2 of the WNBA Finals, Stewart propelled the New York Liberty to victory over the Minnesota Lynx, who had once again surged in the fourth quarter. Determined not to let her team fall as they had in Game 1, the two-time league MVP delivered 21 points and achieved a WNBA Finals record with seven steals, leading the Liberty to an 80-66 win on Sunday.
New York had once more established a significant lead in the first half, only to see it shrink as Minnesota clawed back. This time, however, the Liberty held their ground, leveling the series at 1-1 as it heads to Minnesota for Game 3 on Wednesday night.
"After Thursday night's loss, I couldn't wait to get back out there and change the story," Stewart said. "I wanted to bring the same energy but be even better."
The Lynx managed to cut New York's lead to 68-66 after a layup by Courtney Williams with 3:40 remaining. But those would be Minnesota's final points.
"We needed our offense to step up, but it slowed down when we needed it most," Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve remarked. "We took too long to get things going, and we became too easy to play against. That hurt us at a crucial time."
New York responded with a fierce defense and quick offensive moves. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton sparked a 12-0 run with a corner three-pointer, while Stewart's putback with under a minute left expanded the Liberty's lead to double digits. It was a fitting redemption, as Stewart had missed a potential game-winning free throw in Game 1.
Laney-Hamilton finished the game with 20 points and played a vital role on both ends of the court. Having recently returned from a knee injury, she showed resilience and determination.
"Her grit and toughness set the tone for us," Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said. "She gave us everything she had, and her confidence was contagious."
Stewart also added eight rebounds and five assists to her impressive steals tally. "I wanted to make it tough for every opponent I faced," she stated.
The game drew a sellout crowd of 18,040, the largest for a Liberty game at Barclays Center, with celebrities like Jennifer Hudson, Katie Couric, Fat Joe, and UConn coach Geno Auriemma in attendance.
The Liberty's win kept them from facing an 0-2 deficit, which no team has ever overcome in a best-of-five Finals series. Napheesa Collier and Courtney Williams led the Lynx with 16 and 15 points, respectively.
New York had established a 31-21 lead after the first quarter, with Sabrina Ionescu scoring 10 of her 15 points in the opening minutes. The Liberty then extended their lead to 46-31, but the Lynx closed the gap to 10 by halftime.
Minnesota inched closer again at the end of the third, trailing 57-53. Stewart responded by hitting two free throws, blocking a shot, and sinking a jumper, giving New York a 61-53 edge heading into the final quarter.
New York maintained control through the fourth, fending off Minnesota's attempts to rally and sealing a crucial victory to even the series.
