Liberty take down the Fever in a thrilling contest at the Barclays Center
By Noah Zimmerman
noah@queensledger.com
BARCLAYS CENTER – With a huge weekend win over the Indiana Fever and a Portland Fire loss, the Liberty have booked a sixth consecutive trip to the WNBA Playoffs! For a team with championship aspirations, it’s been a difficult season, but there’s still time for New York to make a late push to secure home court for the opening round of playoff basketball.
It’s been another injury-marred year, just like the previous campaign. For most of the season, New York has suited up without new signing Satou Sabally and key wing Leonie Fiebich. Beyond that it’s been difficult for New York to find a rhythm, and new head coach Chris DeMarco had his hands full juggling an ever-changing roster.
The truth is that while the Liberty have turned up the heat for big matchups, they do not look capable of making a push for a championship. That might change as the season comes down to the wire, with a star-studded lineup always capable of dazzling under the spotlight.
On Saturday, Fiebich finally made her return to the floor. The Liberty forward showed exactly why she was sorely missed, exploding for a season high 20 points with 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
Four other New York starters recorded double-digit points, with Breanna Stewart leading the team with 22 points. Jonquel Jones had another dominant double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Sabrina Ionescu added 12 with 4 assists.
The Fever, who also clinched a postseason berth with Portland’s loss to Toronto, put up a strong fight late, going on a run to tie the game at 100 in the final minutes. A 9-2 response by New York closed the door for Indiana, as the Liberty took the win 109-102.
With six games left to play, there isn’t much time left for New York to fight for home court. Still, the playoff picture is extremely tight, with the 8th place Dallas Wings and 2nd place Golden State Valkyries separated by just 4.5 games. A late push by New York might just see them hop past Indiana and Atlanta into 4th place (or higher), which would give them a 1st round series at the Barclays Center.
