Transcript: New York Liberty 87, Minnesota Lynx 71. Liberty outlast top-seeded Lynx behind Stewart and Jones.
The story
New York controlled the pace from the opening tip. The Liberty won the first quarter 26-21, then extended their lead in the second with a 23-16 quarter. Minnesota tightened the grip in the third, matching New York 19-19, but the Liberty had built enough cushion. At halftime, New York led 49-37. After 3 quarters the Liberty led 68-56. The fourth quarter belonged to New York. The Liberty went on an 8-0 run in the fourth quarter and held on, taking the game 87-71. Breanna Stewart scored 21 points. Jonquel Jones added 21 points and 13 rebounds. Sabrina Ionescu orchestrated the offense with 7 assists. Minnesota's Courtney Williams led the Lynx with 18 points and 8 rebounds, but it wasn't enough against a Liberty team that controlled every phase.
2Jones was everywhere. 21 points and 13 rebounds. She controlled the glass and gave New York second chances when it mattered most. A complete performance in a game the Liberty needed to win.
The stat line
The stat line
| New York Liberty | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breanna Stewart | 21 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Jonquel Jones | 21 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Sabrina Ionescu | 18 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Marine Johannes | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Leonie Fiebich | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Han Xu | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Pauline Astier | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Rebekah Gardner | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rebecca Allen | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Minnesota Lynx | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courtney Williams | 18 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Kayla McBride | 14 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Napheesa Collier | 14 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Nia Brodie | 10 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Aari McDonald | 8 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Olivia Miles | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Natasha Howard | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Dorka Juhasz | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Maya Caldwell | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
