Minnesota Lynx vs. New York Liberty: A Tough Loss for NY

With the clock officially counting down the final stretch of the regular season, every game matters. Of course, the New York Liberty already know that. Sitting precariously in the 8 seed position, the Liberty can’t afford to slip any further down in the standings or they risk losing their playoff slot.

            Currently occupying a more comfortable 4 seed position, the Minnesota Lynx seemed to have the advantage heading into the August 31^st battle between the Lynx and the Liberty. However, the Lynx’s advantage became more uncertain with the absence of Layshia Clarendon and Sylvia Fowles. With the former out due to a lower leg injury and the latter experiencing shoulder issues, both Crystal Dangerfield and Napheesa Collier were forced to step up to replace their counterparts.

            While Collier and Dangerfield are remarkable players, switching up the lineup didn’t come without its challenges for Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve. For one, Dangerfield had some difficulty keeping her game clean. With the Lynx already down a point guard, Reeve was forced to pull Dangerfield in and out of the game; in an attempt to mitigate her rapidly-accumulating fouls. When it came to the frontcourt, Fowles’ absence put the Lynx’s scoring and rebounding in jeopardy, as Fowles leads her team in both.

Though she could have done with a few fewer fouls, Dangerfield’s aggressive style of play was still present. In the case of most other players, being 5 foot 5 could serve as nothing besides a disadvantage. But in Dangerfield’s case, her high defensive IQ and ability to use her size to her create speed; allowed her to become a serious problem for the Liberty on Tuesday night.

            Despite the injury-related obstacles plaguing the Lynx, the Liberty struggled to keep pace with Minnesota. While the Lynx and Liberty visibly struggled with shooting throughout the first quarter—with both teams sitting at field goal percentages of under 20% during the game’s opening—Minnesota managed to find its groove as the game progressed.

            The Liberty, however, struggled to overcome the Lynx’s defensive prowess throughout the game. Even with players like Rebecca Allen, Kylee Shook, and Natasha Howard—the “shortest” of whom clocks in at 6 foot 2—the Liberty were kept at bay by the Lynx’s cerebral defensive strategies. Due to being kept largely out of the paint; the Liberty were forced to take rushed 3-point attempts during the first half. However, with only 5 combined New York three-pointers made throughout the entire game, this panicked approach proved to be an ineffective strategy.

            As the game progressed, however, the Liberty started to clean up their act. Liberty star Betnijah Laney’s play became more noticeable as the game advanced into the second half. Despite being hounded defensively by Kayla McBride—whose 3-point shooting spree helped carry Minnesota to the win—Laney managed to rack up a solid 17 points, alongside her backcourt counterpart Sabrina Ionescu.

            As for the Liberty’s rookies, Michaela Onyenwere was given a solid 35 minutes of game time—a significant boost in minutes from earlier this season. DiDi Richards, though, is yet to be given the notable minutes that Onyenwere has by head coach Walt Hopkins. Richards may still be awaiting her big break. But it seems to already be here for New York guard Rebecca Allen.

            Though Allen racked up only 7 points this game, her point production has been steady this season. Her contribution to the Liberty this game can best be seen in her off-ball play, though; as she cleverly positioned herself in the paint and efficiently used her height for buckets.

When it came to the plight of the Liberty on Tuesday night; it was not so much their lackluster offense that culminated in a loss so much as their lacking defensive play. After all, with the Lynx competing at an equally low-level of offensive play; this game really came down to who could defend the most efficiently.

This game needs to have summoned a level of Liberty grit sufficient to help them hang on to their 8-seed position…or Liberty fans may find themselves disappointed come playoff time.

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