Before his debut playoff series as a WNBA head coach, Chris DeMarco confidently promised that the New York Liberty would be fully prepared to face the Minnesota Lynx. His team backed up that assurance by making history, becoming the first No. 8 seed to upset a No. 1 seed in the WNBA postseason. New York’s 2-0 sweep was emphatic—their defensive unit effectively contained rookie standout Olivia Miles, who struggled, making just 4 of 20 shots over nearly 47 minutes. After the series, star center Jonquel Jones attributed their success, especially in the close-out game, to the Liberty’s development through a challenging regular season.
Jones reflected on the team’s realization that while they had high individual talent and expectations, they still had many hurdles to overcome to succeed collectively. She noted that embracing their struggles allowed the team to focus on improvement and work together toward their goals. This mindset shift, possibly sparked sometime after the WNBA All-Star break, played a key role in their breakthrough postseason performance. Throughout the interviews, Jones displayed a quiet confidence, which matched the team’s relentless effort.
Three-time WNBA champion and two-time MVP Breanna Stewart, a key leader on and off the court, played through a sore left knee in the series. Stewart echoed Jones’ view, pinpointing the All-Star break as a turning point when the team embraced their position as an underdog with a “chip on their shoulder,” ready to prove their championship potential. Looking ahead, the Liberty prepare to face the Atlanta Dream next in the second round, a team also led by a strong trio of stars. With Jones and Stewart’s strong frontcourt presence set against Atlanta’s Defensive Player of the Year Angel Reese, and scorers like Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard posing additional challenges, the series promises to be highly competitive.
DeMarco’s squad is confident and ready to take on the challenge. Jones expressed that the team’s resilience and ability to respond to adversity were key factors in their recent success, highlighting how well they have come together when it matters most on big stages.
—
Fan Take: This historic upset by the Liberty is a powerful reminder of the depth and competitiveness within the WNBA, signaling exciting unpredictability for the playoffs. For fans, it’s inspiring to see teams embrace adversity, showing that resilience and teamwork can rewrite expectations and elevate the entire league’s drama and appeal.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
