Cheryl Reeve drops brutally honest take on Lynx loss to Liberty
The New York Liberty avenged their earlier loss to the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup with a 76-67 victory on Tuesday. Despite a competitive start, the Lynx faltered in the fourth quarter, leading to their defeat.
Head coach Cheryl Reeve was candid in her post-game comments, highlighting the team’s shooting woes and lack of physical toughness in the final period, as reported by Kent Youngblood of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The Liberty’s comeback was driven by strong performances from Breanna Stewart, who recovered from a slow start to finish with 17 points and 17 rebounds, and Jonquel Jones, who contributed 21 points and 12 rebounds, including three critical three-pointers. The duo combined for 14 points in the fourth quarter, where the Liberty outscored the Lynx 18-8.
Napheesa Collier added 15 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists for the Lynx but was scoreless in the crucial fourth quarter, missing key shots and free throws. Overall, the Lynx’s shooting struggled, particularly in the last eight minutes when they went 1-for-11, including 0-for-5 from beyond the arc.
Collier reflected on the game, noting, “I think our shots weren’t falling. They were playing off our offense … I think that hurt us.”
The Lynx, usually known for balanced scoring, had difficulties with contributions from key players. Bridget Carleton, recently named to the Canadian Olympic team, scored only one point, while starting point guard Courtney Williams managed nine points on 3-for-13 shooting. Excluding Cecilia Zandalasini’s efficient 5-for-6 shooting, the team’s overall shooting percentage was just 34.4%, or 21-for-61.
Cheryl Reeve concerned with Minnesota Lynx rebounding
Coach Cheryl Reeve expressed concern about the rebounding disparity in the game, as the Liberty out-rebounded the Lynx 45-37, including 10 offensive rebounds, which led to a 14-8 edge in second-chance points. Of particular worry to Reeve were the team rebounds, or loose ball recoveries, which she sees as a measure of effort. The Liberty dominated this category 9-3.
“Nine of those,” Reeve said. “Those are the ones that bother me more than size. It’s an effort thing.”
The Liberty’s victory was characterized by their heightened intensity and physical play in the fourth quarter.
“They stepped up their intensity on the ball,” said Lynx player Kayla McBride. “They were just being more active.”
Sabrina Ionescu emphasized the Liberty’s motivation, stating, “This was personal,” alluding to their previous losses to the Lynx and their missed opportunity in the Commissioner’s Cup final in June.
“We just locked in on the things that we could control and we understood that whatever was going to happen, whatever decision that the refs made, it was still a game that was winnable,” Jones said, according to Russell Steinberg of ClutchPoints. “We still had a personal vendetta in terms of going out there and trying to get a win tonight.”
The Lynx, who have now lost two of their last three games, face a challenging schedule ahead as they return home to host the second-place Connecticut Sun on the Fourth of July.