New York Liberty Continue Their Winning Streak
The New York Liberty remain unbeaten in the 2025 WNBA season following a nail-biting 90-88 victory over the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday.
The game showcased the resilience of the Liberty, who found themselves in a precarious position after giving up a 12-point lead entering the fourth quarter. Caitlin Clark, despite struggling initially with her three-point shooting—beginning the game 0-for-7—found her rhythm in crucial moments. Late in the third quarter, she delivered a four-point play through contact, followed by a remarkable 34-foot buzzer-beater that turned the tide in favor of the Fever at that point, leaving them with a 76-68 lead.
Turning the Tables
The Liberty needed to respond, and they did just that by cutting down a 12-point deficit to just one point (82-81) with 5:33 remaining in the game. With just 2.9 seconds left, Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu stepped up to the foul line, coolly sinking two free throws to secure a slim lead for New York. As the clock ran down, all eyes were on Caitlin Clark, who aimed to either tie or win the game for Indiana. However, a critical interception by Natasha Cloud denied her the opportunity, sealing the victory for New York.
Individual Performances
Leading the Liberty was Jonquel Jones, who tallied an impressive 26 points and 12 rebounds, marking her 25th career game with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds. Ionescu also shone brightly, contributing 23 points to the effort. For the Fever, Aliyah Boston emerged as a standout with 27 points and 13 rebounds. Clark finished with 18 points, 10 assists, and regrettably, 10 turnovers, marking her third career game with nine or more turnovers—a statistic that ties her for the most in WNBA history with Betty Lennox.
Historical Context
With this victory, the Liberty have scored at least 90 points in all three games so far this season, making them only the second team in WNBA history to begin a season with three consecutive games of 90 points or more. The only other team to achieve this notable feat is the Las Vegas Aces, who accomplished five straight games in the same manner.
Coaching Insights
Head coach Sandy Brondello noted that although the Liberty are performing impressively, the game against Indiana highlighted some areas for improvement, particularly in rebounding, interior defense, and managing game pace to avoid complacency. The Liberty's performance in the third quarter raised concerns about comfort levels leading to a lack of focus.
As they head into future matchups, including their upcoming game against the Valkyries on Tuesday, the Liberty will look to refine these areas of concern to maintain their dominant form. Meanwhile, the Fever, who showcased a strong offensive presence, will aim to build on their promising play as they navigate through the rest of the season.
What's Next?
The Liberty's next game against the Valkyries promises to be another exciting match as they seek to extend their unbeaten streak. For fans interested in the rising star Caitlin Clark and the Fever, there's still much basketball to enjoy as the season unfolds.
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