The New York Liberty Are Too Talented to Lose WNBA Finals

The New York Liberty have no excuse not to win the WNBA Finals with the talent they boast on the roster.

Oct 13, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) reacts after scoring in the first quarter against the Minnesota Lynx during game two of the 2024 WNBA Finals at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The New York Liberty held off the Minnesota Lynx to win Game 2 of the WNBA Finals 80-66, evening the championship series 1-1 in the process.

But the truth is the Liberty should be up 2-0 and on the verge of winning the series, rather than leaving Barclays with a split.

New York has controlled the scoreboard for all but the final minutes of Game 1. A contest that saw the Lynx complete a comeback that had never been done before in history.

The Lynx have led for 3:17 in this series. And yet the series is tied 1-1

— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) October 13, 2024

Still, despite blowing a 15-point cushion in the last five minutes, Breanna Stewart had multiple opportunities to change the outcome. She just wasn't able to convert.

However, Stewie and the Liberty did not stew on the heartbreaking loss and came out focused in Game 2 at Barclays Center. Proving once again they have a roster that has too much talent to not emerge victorious in these WNBA Finals.

Not only did Stewart herself respond with 21 points and 8 rebounds, but she was incredible defensively, tallying a Finals record 7 steals.

Breanna Stewart today:

21 PTS
8 REB
5 AST
7 STL (!!!)

Most steals in a Finals game in WNBA history. pic.twitter.com/Oo352LDAlB

— StatMamba (@StatMamba) October 13, 2024

Of course Stewie is on a team full of other stars, including former MVP Jonquel Jones and All-Star guard Sabrina Ionescu.

Yet the Liberty's talent does not end there, as their other starters are big-time contributors as well.

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton in particular was huge in Game 2. Laney-Hamilton had midseason knee surgery but has recovered enough where she was able to deliver 20 crucial points in the win.

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton. What a game. She got this off by one frame: pic.twitter.com/ocmq5Wq64x

— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) October 13, 2024

While rookie Leonie Fiebich, who was quiet for the majority of the game, hit the dagger three that made sure the home crowd was loud.

Fiebich dagger 3 has Brooklyn swag surfin pic.twitter.com/kdjEQ97jAr

— Robin Lundberg (@robinlundberg) October 13, 2024

All in all, the Liberty did what needed to be done in a must-win situation at home. They now head on the road where the Minnesota crowd will be ready to cheer on its Lynx team, one with no quit in it.

Regardless, given the star-studded roster that takes the floor for New York, they have no excuse to come up short of a championship.

The good news is the Liberty are now only two wins from bringing a title to Brooklyn and Big Ellie.