Stewart Paces Liberty In Win Over Fever
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Shara Talia Taylor
Clark and Fever Start WNBA Season 0-3
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
The New York Liberty started the season strong, now 3-0, after a 91-80 win in their 2024 home-opener Saturday afternoon against rookie Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever (0-3).
The teams met for the second time this season after the Liberty’s 102-66 win last Thursday against the Fever in Indiana. Saturday the Barclays Center was sold out to see the matchup against Clark, the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer in men’s and women’s basketball, and the Liberty were motivated to set new records with the heightened intensity of the game.
“Our start is much better because we lost this game last year,” said Breanna Stewart who had two assists, four steals and a game high 24 points. “Ever since we left in October I wanted to be back here and knew that our fans did too so it was really great to be here tonight.”
Last October, the Liberty were close to victory in the 2023 season, but were stopped short of the championship as they fell to the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA Finals. New York fans returned and many were also there to see Clark, who warmed up for the challenge.
Clark led Indiana with 22 points and finished with four 3-pointers, eight assists, six rebounds and one steal for the Fever.
“We just understand at this level everyone is a pro and if we really focus in on one player, then everyone else is going to be able to go off,” Sabrina Ionescu said about facing off against Clark. “Betnijah did a great job again on being able to kind of contain her and we did what we were supposed to do.”
Ionescu added 12 points, four 3-pointers and five assists in the win. Laney-Hamilton added 13 points and four assists for the Liberty. “The energy that they bring to us is just amazing,” she said about the full house at the Barclays Center.
The crowd set a new all-time regular season attendance record for the team. Sue Bird , Megan Rapinoe, Pau Gasol and Dawn Staley attended the game.
“When I’m out there I’m more so focused on my assignment on the court, but it’s great to have them come out and support us,” Laney-Hamilton said.
Kelsey Mitchell scored a 3-pointer, with an assist by Clark to start the game. Ionescu tied the score with a 3-pointer. The Liberty set a new franchise record for most three-pointers made in the first quarter of the team’s home opener and tied a franchise record for most threes in the first quarter of a game.
Clark then followed up with a layup and Laney-Hamilton matched it with a pull-up shot. Clark assisted NaLyssa Smith who made a layup for the Fever. That was the last lead for Indiana. New York took over and were ahead their remainder of the game. The New York Liberty led 33-22 at the end of the 1st quarter; 57-37 at halftime; and 73-58 by the end of the third quarter.
Both teams played hard, especially in the second half. The Fever outscored the Liberty 21-16 in the 3rd quarter and 22-18 in the 4th quarter. Jonquel Jones had the game high 12 rebounds, four in the first quarter and four in the last quarter. The Fever had five steals in the third quarter. The Liberty had two. Both teams had 9 overall.
The Liberty became the first team in WNBA history to have all five starters make multiple three-pointers.
“These players know how to play with each other in the system that we have and that’s a luxury that we have, ”said Liberty Coach Sandy Brondello.
The New York Liberty took on the Seattle Storm Monday evening.
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