Postgame Notes: Liberty 90, Fever 87
May 14, 2021 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
New York Liberty News Release
LIBERTY 90 | FEVER 87
(1-0) (1-0)
May 14, 2021
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 FINAL
LIBERTY 26 21 21 22 90
FEVER 21 21 17 23 87
GAME LEADERS NEW YORK TEAM
POINTS Betnijah Laney (30) Betnijah Laney (30)
REBOUNDS Sabrina Ionescu (6) Teaira McCowan (16)
ASSISTS Sabrina Ionescu (11) Sabrina Ionescu (11)
The New York Liberty opened the 25th anniversary season at their new home, Barclays Center, with a win over the Indiana Fever, 90-87. Tonight's victory is the team's first opening night win since 2017 (Washington Mystics 87-76).
Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu tied the game with two free made free throws with 21.8 seconds remaining in the contest. After Indiana guard Kelsey Mitchell was called for a traveling violation with 5.8 seconds remaining, Sabrina Ionescu hit a game winning three with less than one second left to lead New York to its first victory of the season.
The WNBA's 2020 Most-Improved Player, Betnijah Laney scored a game-high 30 points on 11-18 shooting from the field in her debut in seafoam.
TEAM NOTABLES
New York shot 47.0% from the field and 50.0% from beyond the arc. The team also shot 83.3% from the charity stripe.
The Liberty had 28 rebounds, 20 assists, 5 steals and 2 blocks.
Three Liberty players scored double figures: Michaela Onyenwere (18), Sabrina Ionescu (25), and Betnijah Laney (30).
Key Runs:
The Liberty got out to a 6-0 run to begin the contest, with two three-point shots from Sami Whitcomb and Michaela Onyenwere.
Despite New York taking a lead of as many as 11 in the first half, there were 8 ties and 7 lead changes.
New York and Indiana each scored 47 first-half points.
With less than one second left in the fourth quarter, tied at 87-87, Sabrina Ionescu converted on a game winning three to seal the Liberty's first win of the season.
Up Next: The New York Liberty will take on Indiana Fever again on Sunday, May 16 at 2 pm ET.
PLAYER NOTABLES
Betnijah Laney scored a team-and game-high 30 points in her Liberty debut.
Sabrina Ionescu recorded her first career double-double with 25 points and 11 assists. She was only 4 rebounds away from a triple-double, with 6.
Michaela Onyenwere began her career in New York with the best rookie debut in Liberty history, scoring a franchise-high 18 points and 5 rebounds. Before tonight, Kia Nurse held the Liberty rookie debut scoring record with 17 (5/20/2018 at Chicago).
For Indiana, Kelsey Mitchell recorded a team-high 23 points, while Teaira McCowan finished with 22 points and 16 rebounds.
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
Sabrina Ionescu on Game Winning Shot
"I actually had dream about it last night. I try not to think about basketball too much before the game because I get nervous. But I 100% had a vision hitting the game winner. And when we were tied, I was smiling because it was too good to be true. I'm glad my coaches and team believed in me, and I'm just so happy to get this win."
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from May 14, 2021
- Postgame Notes: Liberty 90, Fever 87 - New York Liberty
- Atlanta Dream Postgame Notes - Atlanta 67, Connecticut 78 - Atlanta Dream
- New York Liberty Sign Joyner Holmes - New York Liberty
- Mystics Announce 2021 Opening Night Roster - Washington Mystics
- New York Liberty Sign Reshanda Gray - New York Liberty
- LA Sparks Sign Gabby Williams to Contract Extension - Los Angeles Sparks
- Statement from the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx on Ownership - Minnesota Lynx
- Minnesota Lynx Welcome Back Fans to Target Center for Season Opener - Minnesota Lynx
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