Tag: WNBA Finals

Lip-readers think Breanna Stewart predicted Liberty’s Game 3 comeback win during NSFW speech

Breanna Stewart wanted NO PARTS of a Game 3 loss.

Breanna Stewart wasn’t about to let the New York Liberty lose Game 3 of the WNBA Finals, and they didn’t.

Let me be clear. This is a Stewie appreciation post. Everyone will be talking about Sabrina Ionsecu’s game-winning shot, and rightfully so. But we need to have a conversation about how Breanna Stewart started imposing her will  during Wednesday night’s thriller with the Lynx.

In the third quarter alone, Stewie scored 14 points and was all over the floor. Soon, she dropped a 30-burger and casually added 11 rebounds, four blocked shots and a steal. EXCUSE ME, BREANNA STEWART?! But I guess I shouldn’t be that surprised. Lip-readers caught Stewie mid-game, seemingly telling her team, “We are not [expletive] losing this game.”

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Ryan Ruocco delivered a thrilling call for Sabrina Ionescu’s game-winning logo 3-pointer

Ryan Ruocco nailed his call for the Sabrina Ionescu game-winning 3-pointer.

New York Liberty superstar guard Sabrina Ionescu stunned the basketball world on Wednesday night during Game 3 of the 2024 WNBA Finals.

With just a few seconds to go and her team tied with the hosting Minnesota Lynx, Ionescu drilled a breathtaking logo 3-pointer to ice the contest for the Liberty.

The heroic Ionescu basket puts the Liberty within a game of a WNBA title, making it one of the biggest moments in the franchise’s history.

ESPN broadcaster Ryan Ruocco more than understood the assignment during his call of the historic Ionescu 3-pointer, putting all of his emotion into his thrilling broadcast.

Ruocco’s voice might be a little hoarse in the morning, but he deserves so many kudos for this excellent call fans will remember for a long time.

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Sabrina Ionescu’s WNBA Finals game-winning logo 3-pointer was so filthy

Sabrina Ionescu FROM THE LOGO and FOR THE WIN.

With ice in her veins, Sabrina Ionescu brought the New York Liberty within one game of a WNBA championship.

Game 3 was like Game 1 of the Liberty-Lynx series, but in reverse. The Lynx were up HUGE — as much as 16 points — when New York kept plugging away. Foul trouble, an Alanna Smith injury, and a massive night from Breanna Stewart (30 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks) allowed the Liberty to withstand several pushes from Minnesota and eventually overcome it late in the fourth quarter.

With the game on the line, Sabrina Ionescu launched a COLOSSAL shot from downtown New York to break the hearts of every Lynx fan everywhere. Ionescu was quiet most of the night, but she NAILED the bucket of her life — a logo 3-point heave — when the Liberty needed it most. I mean, you need to see this shot to believe it. UNREAL.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBNT77qRMAl/?igsh=Zm1qejZnNnQ2aXQ3

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What time does WNBA Finals Game 3 start on Wednesday?

Here’s what time WNBA Finals Game 3 starts.

The WNBA Finals are well underway, but since games do not occur daily, it could be hard to keep up. You may be wondering when the next WNBA Finals game is.

Here’s the answer: Wednesday, October 16, at 8 p.m. ET in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The game will be televised on ESPN and can be streamed with a Fubo FREE trial.

After a disastrous Game 1, the New York Liberty were nearly on the same path during Game 2 — a 16-point lead quickly evaporated — but all hope is not lost as the series with the Minnesota Lynx is now tied 1-1. The team got tremendous efforts from players like Breanna Stewart and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, who had a bounceback game with 20 points, including 4-for-6 from the 3-point line.

Here’s a recap of how Game 2 unfolded in Brooklyn:

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Lip-readers think Breanna Stewart hilariously asked refs for a Napheesa Collier tech after she threw a basketball

Breanna Stewart was READY for that technical foul.

This story was updated to include Breanna Stewart’s response.

Breanna Stewart‘s WNBA Finals matchup with Napheesa Collier is must-see television.

The 2023 MVP and the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year have been trading buckets, blocks and steals all over the court as their teams battle for a WNBA trophy. I’m totally here for it, and it’s probably a good preview for what we’ll see in January when Unrivaled, the league they co-own together, starts.

I’m also here for good old-fashioned court shenanigans. Some wonderful basketball fans and lovely lip-readers believe they caught Stewie hilariously saying, “Tech! Tech! Tech her!” to nearby refs after she and Phee got tangled up late during Game 2. Phee seemingly threw the basketball in frustration after a foul call, and Stewie immediately started chirping.

UPDATE: Postgame, Uconn Coach Geno Auriemma, one of the many stars in attendance for Game 2, said to Stewie, “You know you tried to get a ‘t’ on Phee” as he hugged her.

She smiled and jokingly said, “I was like, ‘Tech! Tech,'” before embracing one of her children and showing them off to Geno.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBFKVUyPK3j/?igsh=dTV3OTd3bmt3eW5v

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13 celebs at WNBA Finals Game 2, including Jennifer Hudson and Common

Jennifer Hudson, and boyfriend, Common, looked so happy at Barclays.

This story was updated to include Marina Mabrey of the Connecticut Sun.

The celebrities continued to show up for the WNBA Finals, and Game 2 had even more star power.

In Game 1, several famous folks, like Jason Sudeikis and Spike Lee, were on hand to watch the New York Liberty as the team fell to the Minnesota Lynx. For Game 2, the Liberty won, tying the series 1-1. So, we’re happy to report there are no sad celebrity photos.

If you’re wondering who was in the building, we spotted lots of people, including Abbi Jacobson, UConn coach Geno Auriemma, and even talk show host and singer Jennifer Hudson with her boyfriend, Common. Postgame, the pair posed for a photo with longtime journalist Katie Couric and Liberty owner Clara Wsu Tsai.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBFYzAGIW_Y/?igsh=YnkwbmU0YzJ4ZzNp

Here’s a roundup of more celebs who attended Game 2’s matchup:

Abbi Jacobson

@nyliberty

We all fam 🤝😎 #NYLiberty #AbbiJacobson #weallfam

♬ original sound – Maggie Winters

Marina Mabrey, Connecticut Sun

@espn

The #stars are always out in #Brooklyn 🤩 #wnba #basketball #celebrities

♬ original sound – ESPN

Geno Auriemma, UConn

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBFJXiAysf8/?igsh=MXV5YTZsdmhlMnF2YQ==

Fat Joe

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBFLk7Ty8yh/?igsh=MTB4N3FzNnlxZ2FhbQ==

Trendon Watford, Ziaire Williams and Amari Bailey, Brooklyn Nets

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBFDbR_SF1M/?igsh=MTBqOWhtbWZ1c2Jj

Jadakiss

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBE9zarS1Jl/?igsh=Nmp2OW04eXFydzFn

Sue Wicks

John Turturro

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Who is Betnijah Laney-Hamilton? Here’s everything we know about the Liberty guard

Meet Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, a starting guard for the New York Liberty.

The New York Liberty battled with the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA Finals Sunday, and guard Betnijah Laney-Hamilton had a bounceback game, including 13 points in the first half.

Laney-Hamilton, battling a knee injury all year, is a trusted WNBA veteran and has spent her last four seasons with the Liberty. Before arriving in New York in 2021, she completed stints with the Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever, Chicago Sky and Atlanta Dream.

The Philadelphia native is an accomplished defender with a knack for finding open shots on the other end to exploit opposing defenses. She earned WNBA All-Defensive First Team honors in 2020 and All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2023. Laney-Hamilton was also a WNBA All-Star in 2021 and won Most Improved Player in 2020.

Here’s Betnijah talking about her basketball journey and how it shaped her.

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10 fabulous pregame outfits from WNBA Finals Game 2, including Breanna Stewart’s swanky shorts suit

Breanna Stewart’s fancy clouds shorts suit is different, but we kinda Like it.

Welcome to For The Win’s WNBA fashion roundup, Finals edition, where we bring you the best fashion from Game 2 in Brooklyn.

In case you missed the fashion from Game 1, nearly every athlete was upstaged by the New York Liberty mascot, Ellie the Elephant. Ellie is always dressed to the nines, which did not change for the WNBA Finals.

The league’s best mascot strolled the pre-game carpet in a custom jacket and returned for Game 2 with a sparkly coordinated set from head to toe. However, on Sunday, she had fierce competition from Breanna Stewart, who has never missed an opportunity to show off a swanky look, let alone a shorts suit decorated with clouds and beaded frills that mimic rain.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBEqHg_SIaH/?igsh=dG1tMG5uaDlnNGUw

Here are nine more fabulous looks from everyone rolling up to Barclays:

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, Sabrina Ionescu, Jaylyn Sherrod, Kennedy Burke, Nyara Sabally, Jonquel Jones, Kayla Thornton and Marquesha Davis

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBErMHTSTn3/?igsh=MWE0ajlpbG91Y2ZtdQ==

Ellie the Elephant

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBEpbSapLpn/?igsh=c21saGF2ODNodXp1

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What time does WNBA Finals Game 2 start on Sunday?

Here’s what time WNBA Finals Game 2 starts.

The WNBA Finals are well underway, but since games do not occur every day, it could be hard to keep up. You may be wondering when the next WNBA Finals game is.

Here’s the answer: It’s Sunday, October 13, at 3 p.m. ET in Brooklyn, New York.

If you missed Game 1, it had a series of bonkers moments, including an erased 15-point lead, a clutch 3-point basket from Courtney Williams and a rare missed free throw from Breanna Stewart that forced the matchup into overtime. The Lynx ultimately stole home-court advantage away from the Liberty for a historic and improbable comeback win.

Here’s a look back at some of the highlights from the Liberty and Lynx.

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WNBA Finals: Minnesota Lynx at New York Liberty Game 2 odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s Minnesota Lynx at New York Liberty Game 2 odds and lines, with WNBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Minnesota Lynx and the New York Liberty meet Sunday for Game 2 of the best-of-5 WNBA Finals. Tip-off from Barclays Center is set for 3 p.m. ET (ABC). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s WNBA odds around the Lynx vs. Liberty odds, and make our expert WNBA picks and predictions.

Series record: Lynx lead 1-0

The Lynx stunned the Liberty with a 95-93 overtime victory Thursday. The Lynx entered the game as 6-point dogs, but they chipped away all game. After falling down 32-19 in the 1st quarter, the Lynx became the first team in WNBA playoff history to be down 15 in the final 5 minutes and win the game. F Napheesa Collier hit a turnaround jumper with 8 seconds left in OT to secure the W. Collier had 21 points and 8 boards in the game.

The Liberty shot just 38% from the floor in Game 1. Their struggles were highlighted by G Sabrina Ionescu shooting 8-for-26 from the floor. C Jonquel Jones had team-highs of 24 points and 10 boards. F Breanna Stewart added 18 points and 9 boards.

Lynx at Liberty odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 1:20 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Lynx +260 (bet $100 to win $260) | Liberty -350 (bet $350 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Lynx +7.5 (-110) | Liberty -7.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 162.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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Lynx at Liberty picks and predictions

Prediction

Liberty 85, Lynx 79

Moneyline

I fully look for the Liberty to exact some revenge here, but there is no way we’re risking -350 on it.

Instead, let’s go with SABRINA IONESCU OVER 2.5 THREE-POINTERS (-135). We highlighted her shooting woes in Game 1, and she still drilled three 3s.

Against the spread

These have teams faced off 5 times this year, and Minnesota covered in 4 of those. The spreads ranged from 5.5 to 7. We’re catching an extra halfer here.

So take LYNX +7.5 (-110).

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Over/Under

The Over has cashed in 3 of the last 4 meetings. The Lynx are 7-3 O/U in their last 10. The Liberty are 6-4. This total has risen 2 points from Game 1, but I still think that’s well within range to cash an OVER 162.5 (-115).

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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