The experienced Liberty misses numerous opportunities to win the 1st title

If the New York Liberty want to win the franchise's first WNBA title, they have to win at home. There were moments Friday when it felt like the Liberty had it done. But they didn't. Partly because of Minnesota's efforts and partly because they seemed unable to get out of their own way.

There's a lot of pressure on a team seeking its first championship, especially with this roster. After the 2022 season, the offseason was all about the New York Liberty. When they traded for Jonquel Jones and signed Breanna Stewart and Courtney Vandersloot, New York immediately became the team to beat.

But 2023 was not her year. The championship trophy went again to the Las Vegas Aces on October 18, 2023.

Exactly one year later, the Liberty had the chance to prevail against the Lynx. It wasn't her day, but 2024 can still be her year. It all comes down to Game 5.

“We ain't won nothing yet, we ain't lost nothing yet,” said Stewart, who shot 5 of 21 from the floor in the 82-80 loss at Target Center in Minneapolis. “We have the opportunity to do that on Sunday.”

There were chances on Friday too, but New York couldn't take advantage of them.

New York trailed by four points in the third quarter before going on an 11-1 run over two minutes. A Stewart jumper gave the Liberty a 61-55 lead – the team's largest lead of the game. If there was a time to step on the gas, this was it. The momentum should have been with the Liberty, but instead Minnesota had an immediate answer.

Alanna Smith scored a layup on the following possession, and the Lynx regained the momentum and took a 64-63 lead into the fourth quarter.

“It's a close game and their backs were against the wall,” Jones said. “We were both trying to win, so we knew tonight was going to be a game like that with both teams trying to figure it out and do whatever it took to get over the hump.”

The Liberty had another chance to close things out in the fourth quarter. Jones, who finished the game with 21 points, completed a three-point play to make it 80 with 1:10 left. Minnesota failed on the other side, giving New York 56 seconds to work with. What followed was a chaotic possession that cost New York the game.

The Liberty ran out as time expired before Jones lined up a 7-footer that bounced off the rim. Stewart then grabbed the rebound and attempted a putback before grabbing a second rebound and restarting the offense. But despite having 14 seconds left and two timeouts, New York struggled to find a clear shot and Stewart was forced to make a fumbled attempt that missed the rim, resulting in a shot clock violation.

Coach Sandy Brondello took full blame for the botched possession.

“I was actually trying to take some time off,” she said. “But they didn’t hear me. So that's up to me. That wasn't our best possession. It was loud in here. I don't know, maybe next time I'll just have to sprint to the middle of the field. I have to get better.”

Nevertheless, New York had no chances. A defensive stop on the other side would force overtime or give the Liberty a last-second chance.

They were almost there.

But instead, Bridget Carleton grabbed a rebound with two seconds left and was fouled by Sabrina Ionescu as she tried to box out. Carleton made both free throws for the final lead.

After the game, Brondello was heated and lambasted what she said was “unfair” officiating. The Lynx went over the line 20 times while the Liberty shot nine free throws.

Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve was upset about the officiating after Game 3 and mentioned it in the postgame press conference, which Brondello referenced.

“Cheryl talked about it last game, but we didn’t get any calls today,” Brondello said. “So do I have to talk about it in a press conference? Because they got in trouble and we went down the other end and got hit and got nothing.

“I'm one of the nicest coaches in the league, but this makes me angry. Just be fair. If they get hit, it's a bloody foul. But in the end, in a close game, there are things we could have done better.”

Even after Carleton's free throws, the Liberty still had a chance. They called a timeout and passed the ball with two seconds left, setting up a play in hopes of getting the ball deep to Jones. Minnesota defended the move well and Ionescu, who shot 5 of 15 from the floor, was forced to shoot a long three-pointer instead. Unlike Wednesday, this one didn't go in.

Despite the missed opportunities, the Liberty still have a chance to take home the title. That's because they didn't miss many opportunities during the regular season and secured first place with a record of 32-8.

“We just have to go back to New York and win,” Brondello said.

This is officially the last opportunity.