Liberty survive scare from winless Mystics for seventh straight victory
Even if they had their full starting lineup, the end of a five-games-in-eight-days stretch would’ve been difficult for the Liberty.
But then take out point guard Courtney Vandersloot for the past three games due to personal reasons, and that — on top of Commissioner’s Cup implications — added another layer of complexity.
One day after what Sabrina Ionescu described as a “statement” win against the previously undefeated Sun, the Liberty avoided getting upset by the winless Washington Mystics, taking a 93-88 victory Sunday behind 29 points from Jonquel Jones and a variety of contributions from everyone else tasked with filling Vandersloot’s void.
This was less about a convincing victory and more about survival.
Liberty forward Jonquel Jones (35) shoots over Washington Mystics forward Emily Engstler (21) and guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough (32) in the first half at Barclays Center on Sunday.Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
It took until late in the fourth quarter for the Liberty to pull away — until Jade Melbourne’s chance to tie bounced off the rim in the final seconds and they hit enough free throws.
When the win was settled, the Liberty had swept their way through the Commissioner’s Cup and won their seventh consecutive game with a WNBA Finals rematch against the Aces looming Saturday.
Sabrina Ionescu added 18 points, while Leonie Fiebich, who has inherited an expanded role amid Vandersloot’s absence, added 12.
“We’re playing for her,” Ionescu said. “She’s a part of this team. She anchors us. We’re not the same without her, and I hope she knows, I know she knows and feels, that every time we’re stepping out on the floor, everything that we’re doing, she’s right there with us.”
It’s unclear when Vandersloot will return, and that forced adjustments again Sunday.
Ionescu orchestrated the offense. Breanna Stewart orchestrated the offense. Betnijah Laney-Hamtilon orchestrated the offense. They’re all filling different positions than usual, Stewart said, while trying to adjust on the fly without practice time.
In Year 2 of the superteam, cohesion — with the entire starting lineup returning — was the prominent advantage the Liberty possessed, but they still needed to construct the bench.
Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) shoots over Washington Mystics forward Aaliyah Edwards on Sunday.Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
To figure out the rotations. To get Fiebich and Kennedy Burke and Kayla Thornton and Ivana Dojkic to mesh with the starters.
Recently, Fiebich has started to emerge, and when the Mystics kept finding a way to respond in the second half, Fiebich hit three critical 3-pointers to help the Liberty keep pace.
She checked in for Thornton with 4:38 left in the third and added nine points, three rebounds and an assist while spending the remainder of the afternoon on the court.
“I think at this point, I’ve played more games than practiced,” Fiebich said. “It’s hard to come in and don’t get any time, like live action, in practices with my teammates, so I think the more minutes I get, the more time on the court I get, the more comfortable I feel out there.”
Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) drives past Washington Mystics guard Karlie Samuelson on Sunday.Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Jones paced the Liberty with 15 points in the opening half, and on one sequence she swatted a shot and ended up with possession at the other end, grabbing her own missed layup, drawing a foul and sinking both free throws.
She continued to serve as the focal point of the Liberty’s offense across the final 20 minutes, but Fiebich and others started to contribute.
Still, the Mystics kept within striking distance. There were seven lead changes and five ties across the final two quarters.
Liberty forward Kennedy Burke (2) shoots over Washington Mystics center Stefanie Dolson on Sunday.Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Ionescu was trapped in the corner after an inbounds in the final minute and managed to bounce a pass and avoid a 10-second violation. Jones, with the Liberty leading by one, converted a layup to end the sequence.
“I think we have veterans and it shows late, that people understand the moment,” Jones said. “And I think we lock in and we take it to another level.”
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With Sunday’s win, the Liberty aced the most complicated stretch of their early-season slate.
They did more than half of it without Vandersloot. And now, after five days off, the Aces are waiting.
