Liberty Down Lynx, Dashing Reeve’s Win Record Bid

Image: Yahoo Sports

The lights blazed at Barclays Center as the sold-out crowd erupted into cheers the moment Breanna Stewart let fly on a three-pointer, sending the ball careening through the air like a perfectly executed missile. That shot sealed the deal for the Liberty, who went on to crush the Minnesota Lynx 99-86 on Friday night, spoiling Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve’s first attempt to become the WNBA’s career wins leader. Reeve, tied with Mike Thibault at 379 regular-season victories, had her sights set on history, but the Liberty had other plans.

The game wasn’t without its drama, though. Down by as many as nine points in the first half, the Liberty roared back with a 23-4 run in the third quarter, with Stewart at the forefront of the charge. The 7-foot-2 forward scored 17 of her 36 points in the third alone, outdueling Minnesota’s Sylvia Fowles and Candace Parker in a showdown for the ages. The Lynx tried to mount a comeback, but the Liberty’s bench was too deep, too talented, and too well-coached.

This wasn’t just a win for the Liberty, though – it was a testament to the resilience and determination of their players. Breanna Stewart, the WNBA’s reigning Finals MVP, has been on a tear all season long, and her performance Friday night was no exception. “We knew it was going to be a tough game,” Stewart said in a post-game interview. “But we came out with a lot of energy and a lot of focus, and it paid off in the end.” And that’s all you can ask for from your players.

So what’s next for the Liberty? They’ll host the Chicago Sky on Sunday afternoon, looking to make it two wins in a row. The Lynx, meanwhile, will try to regroup and refocus for their next game against the Connecticut Sun.

The Liberty’s win was their sixth of the season, putting them firmly in the hunt for a playoff spot. The Lynx, meanwhile, have now lost three in a row, and are in danger of falling out of contention.

The game also marked the return of New York Liberty center Jonquel Jones, who scored 14 points off the bench in her first game back from injury. “It felt good to be back out there,” Jones said. “I was a little rusty at first, but I’m getting there.”

The Liberty’s victory was their largest of the season, and cemented their position as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.

The WNBA has been a hotbed of talent this season, with some of the league’s biggest stars shining brighter than ever before. But Stewart’s performance on Friday night was something special – a reminder that, even in a league full of superstars, there’s always room for one more great player.

Stewart’s 36 points were just the tip of the iceberg, though. The Liberty’s bench outscored the Lynx’s 33-20, and the team’s defense held Sylvia Fowles to just 16 points. “We did a great job of moving the ball and getting good looks,” Stewart said. “And our defense was solid all night long.”

So what’s the takeaway from this one? For the Liberty, it’s simple: they’re a team on the rise, and they’re not going anywhere anytime soon. For the Lynx, it’s a reminder that they’ve got their work cut out for them if they want to make a deep playoff run.

As for Reeve, she’ll have to wait another day to try and break the record for most regular-season wins. But you can bet she’ll be back at it again soon, ready to take on all comers.

The Liberty’s next game will be against the Chicago Sky on Sunday afternoon. The Lynx, meanwhile, will try to regroup and refocus for their next game against the Connecticut Sun.

The Liberty’s bench was a major factor in their win, with players like Betnijah Laney and Hanna Biirmaite contributing big minutes.

Cheryl Reeve will get her chance to break the record when the Lynx host the Mercury on June 20.

The Liberty’s victory was their largest of the season, and marked their second straight win over the Lynx.

Image: Yahoo Sports

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New York LibertyMinnesota LynxBreanna StewartSylvia FowlesCandace ParkerJonquel JonesBetnijah Laney

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