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Posts tagged as “Breanna Stewart”

New York Liberty defeats Minnesota Lynx in OT to win their first WNBA Championship (67 – 62)

October 21, 2024

New York Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx in a classic Game 5 OT to take home the franchise first WNBA Championship. It was a low scoring ballgame, which is understandable, since both team have a defensive mindset right out of the gate. By the end of regulation, both team only managed to score 60 points, compare to the last 4 games, where the winning team scores at least 80 points.

Breanna Stewart has a chance to tie the game but misses both of the free throw with 38 secs remaining in regulation but Minnesota Lynx failed to capitalize on the possession and gave Breanna Stewart another chance to redeem herself by sinking bother of her free throw to tie and send the game to over time. Then in OT, Liberty took over by limiting Lynx to just 2 points while scoring 7 points; a 23-footer three point jumper by Leonie Fiebich, a two point lay-up by Nyara Sabally of a steal and a 2-for-2 free throw by Breanna Stewart to seal the game.

Like in the previous game, Minnesota Lynx was able to limit New York Liberty’s stars; Breanna Stewart just scored 13 points but was a monster on the boards, grabbing a game high 15 rebounds. Sabrina Ionescu just scored 5 points but impacted the game by keeping her teammates involved in the game by dishing 8 assists with 7 rebounds and 2 steals. Jonquel Jones, who won the WNBA Finals MVP, scored a team high 17 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.

Prior to the 2024 WNBA season, NY Liberty is one of the eight original franchises of the league that has yet to win a championship and the team have been in the WNBA Finals 5 times before winning it all this year.

New York Liberty evens the series behind Stewart and Laney-Hamilton (80 – 66)

October 14, 2024

Doug Feinberg – AP Basketball Writer via WNBA;

Breanna Stewart wasn’t going to let history repeat itself.

With the Minnesota Lynx making another fourth quarter run, the two-time league MVP refused to let the New York Liberty lose again.

Stewart scored 21 points and had a WNBA Finals record seven steals to help the Liberty beat the Lynx 80-66 on Sunday in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals.

Just like Game 1, New York built a double-digit lead in the first half, only to see it evaporate. This time they didn’t completely collapse, holding on to even the series 1-1 as it shifts to Minnesota for Game 3 on Wednesday night.

New York Liberty made sure that Minnesota Lynx won’t be stealing this game, even after the Lynx erasing the Liberty’s 9-point lead early in the 4th qtr, to just 2 points. But from the 3:40 mark in the final qtr the New York Liberty went on a 12 to nothing run to build a 14-point cushion to end the game.

There are four Liberty players who scored double-digits points, you have the regulars like Breanna Stewart who lead the team in almost every category, she had 21 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 7 steals and 1 block. Sabrina Ionescu, because of the “Caitlin Clark” treatment that she received, was not able to score in the 2nd half but was a big contributor in the first half. She added 15 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists.

Then you also have the towering Jonquel Jones who was also a monster on the boards and got some timely tip in to help secure the W for the Liberty. Jones scored 14 points, a game-high 9 rebounds and 2 steals. Then there’s Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, who was the unlikely-hero of the team by draining 4 pressure packed three-pointers, she end up with 20-points with 2 rebounds and 2 assists.

The next two games of the WNBA Finals will be hosted by the Minnesota Lynx. Game 3 will be this Wednesday, Oct 16, 2024 at the Target Center Minneapolis.

Team USA Women’s Basketball Roster for 2024 Paris Olympics now Official

June 12, 2024
Team USA Women’s Basketball Roster for 2024 Paris Olympics now Official

After being leaked a couple of days ago, the official roster for the Team USA Women’s Basketball for 2024 Paris Olympics have been officially announced.

As previously leaked and now official, below are the official roster of Team USA Women’s Basketball for 2024 Paris Olympics;

Player WNBA Team Position
Napheesa Collier Minnesota Lynx Forward
Kahleah Copper Phoenix Mercury Guard/Forward
Chelsea Gray Las Vegas Aces Guard
Brittney Griner Phoenix Mercury Center
Sabrina Ionescu New York Liberty Guard
Jewell Loyd Seattle Storm Guard
Kelsey Plum Las Vegas Aces Guard
Breanna Stewart New York Liberty Forward
Diana Taurasi Phoenix Mercury Guard
Alyssa Thomas Connecticut Sun Forward
A’ja Wilson Las Vegas Aces Forward/Center
Jackie Young Las Vegas Aces Guard/Forward

USA Women’s National Team head coach Cheryl Reeve with the assistance of Kara Lawson, Joni Taylor and Mike Thibault.

Here is what USA Basketball Women’s National Team Committee chair Jen Rizzotti said in the official statement;

“On behalf of USA Basketball, I’m excited to announce the 2024 USA Women’s National Team, We have selected a team that we are confident will represent our country to the highest standard in Paris. Basketball in the United States boasts unparalleled depth, making this a challenging and competitive process. The commitment these athletes have shown to USA Basketball is unmatched and I look forward to watching them take on the World in Paris.”

This is what USA Women’s National Team head coach Cheryl Reeve said regarding the roster;

“This roster features some of the best basketball talent our country has to offer and I’m excited to lead this team with the goal of winning an eighth straight Olympic gold medal in Paris, I’m looking forward to getting together in Phoenix and starting the journey to Paris.”

Team USA Women’s Basketball Roster for 2024 Leaked sans Caitlin Clark – Shams Charania

June 9, 2024

The roster for the 2024 USA Basketball Women’s National Team have been leaked. In a tweet, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported that “Indiana Fever rookie sensation Caitlin Clark is expected to be left off the 12-player Team USA women’s basketball roster for the upcoming Summer Olympics”

Charania then added and named the 12 players in the roster. Except for Kahleah Copper, Sabrina Ionescu, Kelsey Plum and Alyssa Thomas. All other players have Olympic experience. Fans also pointed out that rookie phenom Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever is missing from the roster. Despite receiving an invitation to the USA Basketball Women’s National Team training camp last April, Iowa Hawkeyes standout Caitlin Clark couldn’t attend due to her team’s Final Four run.

Player WNBA Team Position
Napheesa Collier Minnesota Lynx Forward
Kahleah Copper Phoenix Mercury Guard/Forward
Chelsea Gray Las Vegas Aces Guard
Brittney Griner Phoenix Mercury Center
Sabrina Ionescu New York Liberty Guard
Jewell Loyd Seattle Storm Guard
Kelsey Plum Las Vegas Aces Guard
Breanna Stewart New York Liberty Forward
Diana Taurasi Phoenix Mercury Guard
Alyssa Thomas Connecticut Sun Forward
A’ja Wilson Las Vegas Aces Forward/Center
Jackie Young Las Vegas Aces Guard/Forward

The final USA Women’s Basketball roster and list of potential alternates must be submitted to FIBA by June 24th. While no official announcement has been made by the USA Basketball on their official website or social media accounts.