The New York Liberty are slowly creeping into the top three of the WNBA standings thanks to a standout performance from their backcourt.
While facing Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever at the Barclays Center on Saturday, the trio of Breanna Stewart, Leonie Fiebich, and Jonquel Jones combined for 73 points in a 109-102 statement win. Stewart was at the top of the stat sheet with 22 points, while Fiebich added 20 and Jones scored 19 of her own.
The result was New York picking up its second win over Indiana this season. It also serves as retribution for their last two double-digit losses to one of the league’s hottest teams.
“I wouldn’t say we needed this [win], but it definitely felt good to get it. At the end of the day, I think we had tough matchups with them, and they’ve been able to have our number in the previous matchups, so for us to be able to come in tonight and set the tone was really good,” Jones said. “It was a great 48 minutes together, and that’s something we’ve been discussing. It’s a really good night for us.”
Jones was a difference maker for the entirety of the contest, as she started by knocking down a three before adding another five points during the first. She tallied another nine points during the second frame, which helped New York remain in control at halftime.
Jones was also effective on the backboards, snagging 10 rebounds with nine coming on the defensive side. She ended up recording her 18th double-double of the season.
Stewart, on the other hand, scored eight of her points during the first 10 minutes and converted on two trips to the free-throw line to seal the win during the fourth. The former two-time league MVP also displayed defensive and playmaking ability, finishing with eight rebounds and seven assists.
“There were a lot of playoff implications in this game, and I wouldn’t be able to tell you what they are because there’s a lot going on. We want to continue to make it feel good and also be fine defensively and continue to have better offense, and we should be proud of that going forward,” Stewart said.
After being sidelined for seven weeks with a left foot injury, Fiebich had a profound effect on this win. Her first game back in the lineup went as planned, with five assists and five rebounds in addition to the 20 points.
Like Jones, Fiebich made a difference from the start, with her first basket coming less than two minutes into the affair. During the third, she converted on back-to-back long-range shots. She made another in the fourth to cap off her return outing.
“It sucks to be not on the court and to watch. I was suffering a lot, so it was good to be on the court and help the team win,” Fiebich said. “I know that we struggle sometimes in the games, and if I can help, I want to do that.”
With two games remaining until the FIBA women’s World Cup break, the Liberty will need to pick up as many wins over contenders as they can. They got one over the Fever, but will need to do it again against the Golden State Valkyries and Chicago Sky in their next games.
“We know that every game is super important for us and we want to win every game, especially going into the break,” Fiebich added. “It’s so important for us. Building and taking steps forward. We want to keep improving.”
