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Breanna Stewart and the New York Liberty blew an 18-point lead to the Minnesota Lynxto lose Game 1 of the WNBA Finals 95-93 in overtime on Thursday. The Lynx grabbed the lead following Napheesa Collier’s 12-foot turnaround jumper over Jonquel Jones with 8.1 remaining in the extra period.
Liberty coach Sandy Brondello went to “Stewie,” the two-time MVP to take the final shot. Sabrina Ionescu perfectly timed her inbound pass just as Stewart momentarily lost Collier, the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year winner.
The Liberty franchise player went strong to the rim where she was met by a phalanx of defenders. Stewart missed a point-blank layup that could have forced a second overtime.
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After the game, Breanna Stewart had this to say about the loss (via Noa Dalzell):
“I had a great look at the end, and I didn't make it, but I think that this is a series, and we wanted to win, obviously, for home court. But the beauty is we have another game on Sunday.”
Stewart’s missed layup wasn’t the only heartbreaking moment she felt during the game. She also muffed a potential game-winning free throw with 0.1 seconds left in regulation. Game 1 went into overtime when her shot rimmed out of the basket.
Breanna Stewart finished the game with 18 points on 6-for-21 shooting, including 2-for-6 from deep. New York needs her to be more efficient and to make the big plays to prevent Minnesota from taking a 2-0 series lead in the rematch.
Breanna Stewart wants to continue taking the big shots for the New York Liberty
In the New York Liberty’s post-game conference, Breanna Stewart answered most of the questions from the media. When asked about how her Game 1 performance will affect her in the series, the two-time WNBA Finals MVP answered:
“Listen, I want to be taking these shots. Knowing that my teammates and that [locker] room have confidence in me, it’s important and it’s kind of on to the next. I’m making sure that I’m gonna be aggressive any time I’m on the court. … As a player, it’s very frustrating, but bounce back for Game 2.
The loss was the fourth time, regular season included, that the Liberty lost to the Lynx. "Stewie" has to bounce back or the WNBA Finals could be over soon.
