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Tag: New York Liberty – English

  • Caitlin Clark's latest unpopular decision could have an explanation that Kobe Bryant would have supported

    Caitlin Clark's latest unpopular decision could have an explanation that Kobe Bryant would have supported

    Fans were eagerly anticipating a historic three-point shootout at the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend, hoping to see WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark go head-to-head with Golden State Warriors legend Stephen Curry.

    However, reports now confirm that Clark has declined an invitation to participate, leaving many wondering why the Iowa superstar turned WNBA rookie made the decision.

    Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell’s emotional reunion has Indiana Fever fans buzzing

    Clark, who broke records in her first professional season, finishing just six three-pointers short of the all-time WNBA record for most threes in a season, was widely expected to join this year’s revamped NBA All-Star 3-Point Contest.

    The event was set to feature Curry, Sabrina Ionescu and Klay Thompson, creating a cross-league competition unlike anything seen before. But Clark‘s absence has left fans speculating on her reasons for opting out.

    Why did Clark decline the invitation?

    While many assumed Clark was simply prioritizing rest before the WNBA season, TV personality and former basketball player Rachel DeMita suggested a different reason for Clark‘s absence.

    “From what we have seen in her workouts and all, Caitlin seems like the type of person if she’s going to do this contest she wants to win it,” DeMita explained during a segment.

    She went on to describe Clark‘s competitive mindset, likening her approach to that of the late Kobe Bryant.

    “She seems psychotic… she seems to have that Kobe mentality. When I say psychotic, guys, I mean that as a good thing. I think any great athlete is a little bit crazy. I think Caitlin is too, but in the best way-she has that Kobe mentality,” DeMita added.

    According to Sports Business Journal’s Tom Friend, Clark reportedly told the NBA that she’s not interested in shooting off a ball rack, a crucial element of the contest’s format. Unlike the pull-up threes she often takes in-game, this competition requires stationary shooting from racks, something Clark isn’t accustomed to.

    A source close to Clark noted that while she is deadly off the dribble, particularly when moving to her left, her lack of experience with rack shooting could have factored into her decision.

    Rather than enter a competition where she isn’t fully prepared, Clark may have chosen to wait for an opportunity better suited to her strengths.



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  • A'ja Wilson channels her 'Mamba Mentality' in must-win game for Aces

    A'ja Wilson channels her 'Mamba Mentality' in must-win game for Aces

    A’ja Wilson was inspired, and the Las Vegas Aces needed to have a player like that against the New York Liberty in the third game of the semifinals of the WNBA, as the team from Sin City forced another game by winning 95-81.

    Wilson had a big night on the court as she scored 19 points and also captured 14 rebounds. When the game was seemingly out of hand, the coaching staff from Las Vegas tried to give her a breather but she refused to come out of the game.

    A’ja Wilson spills true feelings about white players in front of Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers

    “You can’t sit down in a game like this, this is an elimination game. I cannot sit down, that’s looking like giving up,” A’ja Wilson said in a postgame interview. “That’s looking like quitting to me, so I knew I had to come and be who I needed to be for my time out of the game and make sure we understood what we needed to do her at home.”

    She got helped from some friends

    Even after an inspired performance from A’ja Wilson with her 20th career double-double, she was not alone in the game. Jackie Young had a pretty good game herself after scoring 24 points and that was not all. Kelsey Plum’s experience was also a factor in this one.

    She scored 20 points and also Tiffany Hayes and Chelsea Gray helped the cause after scoring 11 and 10 points respectively to extend the team’s winning streak at home in the playoffs to a WNBA record 12 games.

    After New York got the victory in the first two games of the series, they still have to seal the deal to advance to the finals and they will have to try and do it once more in Las Vegas as Game 4 will be played on Sunday.



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  • Sabrina Ionescu with the exclamation point after setting career-high numbers to help Liberty advance

    Sabrina Ionescu with the exclamation point after setting career-high numbers to help Liberty advance

    Sabrina Ionescu had an incredible night as she tied a franchise playoff record with 36 points to help the New York Liberty beat the Atlanta Dream 91-82 on Tuesday to advance to the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs.

    Jonquel Jones added 20 points and 13 rebounds for a Liberty team that was seeded number one in the playoffs. They completed the sweep on the the best-of-three series and will face either Las Vegas or Seattle in the next round that begins Sunday in New York.

    A’ja Wilson in tears at press conference after Las Vegas Aces sixth loss of the season

    The Liberty took a one-point lead entering the fourth quarter but then the New Yorkers took control towards the end with a remarkable period by Ionescu to lead her team to a series clinching victory to get to the next rounds.

    Atlanta had a chance in the game

    Atlanta was in the game right up until the last quarter. They led by 11 points in the second quarter before Ionescu started hitting shots from a long distance with many of them being 3-pointers.

    The Liberty took a four-point lead with a 40-36 score, but the Dream closed the first half on a 12-3 run to go into halftime. Then, once again the Ionescu show appeared, as she tied Cappie Pondexter for the most points by a Liberty player in the postseason.

    Now the Liberty will seat back and relax while they see the Las Vegas and Seattle series unfold, as they can enjoy an extra day of rest to study their opponent and prepare for the second round of the playoffs.



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  • The stage is set for Caitlin Clark as she'll battle the best in the WNBA with every matchup set for the playoffs

    The stage is set for Caitlin Clark as she'll battle the best in the WNBA with every matchup set for the playoffs

    The WNBA has entered the most important and interesting stage of the year, as the postseason is ready to begin this Sunday, September 22 and everyone will be watching.

    There are many starts who are ready to make a run for the playoffs, but of course that the young Caitlin Clark will be ready for the challenge her team will be facing, as the Indiana Fever will have to play the Connecticut Sun in the first round. The Sun is 27-11 and look dangerous against a Fever team that barely had a win over .500.

    Video of Caitlin Clark telling Christie Sides how to coach the game

    Only eight teams remain alive as the regular season will come to end and now the highest level of play will be seen for fans and followers and expectations are looking to be met.

    The rest of series

    In that side of the bracket, should Caitlin Clark and company advance, they could meet the winner of the Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury, as it will be a tough task for the team from Arizona as the Lynx is one of the hottest teams in the league. They are 29-9 and look great. The Mercury are under the .500 mark but still have Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi.

    Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm will face off in the other series of four and this one will also be very tight, just like what everyone expects from the New York Liberty when they meet against the Atlanta Dream, who come in as the number eight team seeded but they know the team from the big apple very well.

    The first round will be played to a Best-Of-Three series, will all Games 1 to be played on Sunday, and then the second games will be played on Tuesday and Wednesday, with an if-necessary game to be played on Thursday and Friday. The semifinals will start on September 29 and the finals on October 10.



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  • Sabrina Ionescu stuns the WNBA with a shot from the floor that shocks everyone: You've got to be kidding me

    Sabrina Ionescu stuns the WNBA with a shot from the floor that shocks everyone: You've got to be kidding me

    Sabrina Ionescu was the star of the WNBA on Friday night when she hit the most incredible shot that shocked the watching fans and all those tuned in at home.

    Fans of the New York Liberty are pretty accustomed at this point to seeing Ionescu do ridiculous things on the court but even they would not have expected what she pulled off on Friday night.

    Caitlin Clark cooks Sabrina Ionescu in unseen footage from WNBA All-Star Game

    The Liberty were leading the Seattle Storm 85-77 with just over five minutes left of the first quarter and Ionescu drove towards the basket and unleashed a shot whilst she was falling to the floor.

    That attempt didn’t go in but in one swift movement, the 26-year-old gathered her own rebound as she got to her feet and still scored, whilst on her knees.

    Incredible from Ionescu

    “You gotta be kidding me,” a broadcaster shouted just seconds after her ridiculous play.

    “It was the most open I’ve been all night, so I decided to go for it,” Ionescu told reporters after the game. “To be honest, I didn’t realize I was on the ground. I saw the basket and it looked good…I’ll take it. Shooters shoot.”

    Ionescu finished with 25 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in the 98-85 win. It was her fifth game this season with 25 or more points and just the second time she had eight or more rebounds.

    Needless to say, social media was ablaze with fans reacting to the shot and the Liberty went on to win the game 98-85 at the expense of the Storm.



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  • Caitlin Clark's historic day for herself and franchise helps resurgence in win over New York Liberty

    Caitlin Clark's historic day for herself and franchise helps resurgence in win over New York Liberty

    Caitlin Clark’s remarkable rookie season shows no signs of slowing down. While the Indiana Fever’s overall record of 9-13 isn’t impressive, Clark’s individual statistics and performances are reminiscent of a seasoned veteran. In her 22 games, Clark is averaging 16 points per game, ranks third in the league with 7.1 assists per game, and contributes 5.7 rebounds per game. Her only drawback is leading the league in turnovers with 5.5 per game. Notably, no player in WNBA history has ever averaged such numbers (16/7/5) in a season, and Clark is achieving this as a rookie.

    The New York Liberty (17-4), who had won five straight games, were stunned as Caitlin Clark recorded the first triple-double by a rookie in WNBA history and in Indiana Fever history. Her historic performance helped the Fever secure an 83-78 victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, ending the Fever’s nine-game losing streak to the Liberty. Clark finished the game with 19 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds, showcasing her exceptional talent and giving fans even more reasons to boost ratings and fill arenas.

    In addition to Clark’s stellar play, Aliyah Boston scored 18 points on 8-for-12 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds for the Fever. Kelsey Mitchell added 14 points, marking her ninth consecutive game in double figures, and NaLyssa Smith, the second overall pick in the 2022 draft, contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season.

    After a disastrous start in May with a 1-8 record,the Fever have improved significantly, posting an 8-5 record since June 1. The team has shown greater cohesion and understanding as they prepare for the second half of the season and aim for a playoff spot. The Fever will have some time to rest, with their next game scheduled for Wednesday against the Washington Mystics. Following that, they will play three more games before the month-long break for the Olympic Games. If they could win these next four games they’ll have a 13-13 record,

    Clark’s impact on and off the court continues to be a beacon of hope for the Fever and an exciting storyline for WNBA fans everywhere. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Clark and the Fever to see if they can turn their season around and make a playoff push.



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  • Caitlin Clark impact and Angel Reese's bold claims drive WNBA to record numbers

    Caitlin Clark impact and Angel Reese's bold claims drive WNBA to record numbers

    The WNBA has launched its 28th season with historic success, achieving the highest attendance in 26 years and unprecedented viewership across multiple networks. Since the season’s start on May 14th, the league has seen a 60% year-over-year increase in viewership among Hispanic and Black audiences, growing by 96% and 67%, respectively. Additionally, viewership among those under 35 jumped by 124%, with a 139% increase in young girls tuning in. That is the ultimate goal, have a young audience which can dream to be in the league one day.

    The league’s 2024 rookie class has significantly contributed to fan engagement, with standout players like Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky, and Cameron Brink of the Los Angeles Sparks driving social media interactions. The WNBA has experienced a 236% rise in merchandise sales, with Clark, Reese, and Brink leading jersey sales.

    WGN 9 News

    The league’s app has also seen a dramatic increase in monthly active users, up by 613% year-over-year. So Reese is right, they all have to do with the growth of the league, veterans and rookies, but Clark does stand out above all of them. Just look to what all the most watched games have in common even if their record is like the Detroit Pistons.

    • For ESPN – The Opening Night matchup featuring the Indiana Fever vs. the Connecticut Sun averaged 2.12 million viewers across ESPN2, ESPN+ and Disney+, peaking at 2.34 million viewers, making it the most-watched WNBA game on Disney platforms ever.
    • For ABC – The Indiana Fever vs. the New York Liberty averaged 1.71 million viewers, making it the most-viewed WNBA game on ABC ever and the second-most-viewed game across Disney networks ever, behind the one above.

    The league’s broadcast success is equally noteworthy. Games across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and CBS are averaging 1.32 million viewers, nearly tripling last season’s average. ION and NBA TV have also reported record viewership. ION’s airing of the Indiana Fever vs. Los Angeles Sparks game averaged 724,000 viewers, the highest for the network. NBA TV saw its most-viewed WNBA game with the Los Angeles Sparks vs. Indiana Fever, averaging 430,000 viewers. These milestones highlight the league’s expanding reach and appeal.

    Standout rookies like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have significantly driven fan engagement and merchandise sales. Despite past conflicts with Clark, Reese highlights her influence on the sport’s rise, stating, “I’ll look back in 20 years and be like the reason why we’re watching women’s basketball is not just because of one person. It’s because of me, too.” Reese’s bold claim might be true, but Clark is by far the reason this numbers will be higher than ever when the season ends, even if she doesn’t make the playoffs which seem to be the way things are going.

    And to finish, the most important thing for me, the attendance. Figures have been impressive, with approximately 400,000 fans attending games since the season’s start, the highest in 26 years. More than half of all games were sellouts, a 156% increase from last year, and WNBA arenas have been filled to 94% capacity,up 17% from 2023. These numbers underscore the growing popularity of women’s basketball.



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  • Indiana Fever's nightmare: Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston injured in devastating loss to New York Liberty

    Indiana Fever's nightmare: Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston injured in devastating loss to New York Liberty

    In a challenging game on Sunday night, theIndiana Fever faced a tough blow when their two recent No. 1 overall picks, Aliyah Bostonand Caitlin Clark, were both injured during their matchup against the New York Liberty.

    The evening took a turn for the worse when Clark was escorted to the locker room after being assessed for an ear injury on the bench. Shortly after, Boston followed suit, limping off the court with a left ankle injury.

    This unfortunate series of events unfolded during the Fever’s second game of a back-to-back series. The previous day, Clark, Boston, and their teammates had secured a hard-fought victory over the Chicago Sky in Indiana, showcasing their potential and resilience.

    Fever’s future in question as key players Clark and Boston face injuries

    Clark and Boston are seen as the future of the Fever franchise, making their simultaneous injuries a significant setback for the team. Despite their absence, the game’s outcome was unaffected as the Liberty had already established a 30-point lead by the time Boston exited the court.

    The Fever now have a five-day break before facing the Washington Mystics on Friday. The team and fans alike are anxiously awaiting updates on Clark and Boston’s conditions, hoping for a swift recovery for their star players.



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  • Caitlin Clark's rookie milestone alongside Sabrina Ionescu proves she's in an elite WNBA club

    Caitlin Clark's rookie milestone alongside Sabrina Ionescu proves she's in an elite WNBA club

    Indiana Fever rookie guard Caitlin Clark has etched her name into the WNBA history books, joining New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu as the only rookies to achieve an extraordinary statistical benchmark.

    Through her first 10 games, Clark has amassed over 150 points, 50 rebounds, and 50 assists, a feat previously accomplished only by Ionescu.

    Clark’s Fiery response to opponents’ physical play

    Caitlin Clark proves she’s an elite player

    This remarkable achievement dispels any doubts about Clark’s early performance in the league.

    Instead, it highlights her outstanding start and potential for greatness.

    Ionescu’s accolades, including being the first WNBA player to record over 500 points, 200 rebounds, and 200 assists in a single season, set a high bar, and Clark’s early success suggests she is on a similar trajectory.

    Clark’s impact on the court is evident.

    Entering Saturday’s game against the Chicago Sky, Clark was averaging 17.6 points, 6.6 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game.

    Her shooting percentages stood at 37.7% from the field, 32.0% from three-point range, and an impressive 89.4% from the free-throw line.

    Despite the Fever’s 2-8 start to the season, Clark’s performance has been a bright spot.

    In Saturday’s closely contested game, which ended in a 71-70 victory for the Fever, Clark recorded 11 points, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds.

    The game also marked the first professional meeting between Clark and Angel Reese, rekindling their collegiate rivalry.

    Clark facing tough defending from WNBA peers

    The game was not without its physical challenges.

    Clark faced tough defense from the Sky, including a controversial play in the third quarter where Chennedy Carter appeared to commit a flagrant foul against her.

    Despite the physicality and lack of a review from the referees, Clark maintained her composure.

    “It is what it is. I feel like I’m just at the point where you accept it and don’t retaliate. I’m trying not to let it bother me,” she remarked.

    Clark’s resilience and leadership were evident as she celebrated the Fever’s first home win of the season.

    Reflecting on the team’s growth, she stated, “I’m proud of our group. I thought earlier in the season, to this point, if we would have shot like this, we wouldn’t have won the game because we didn’t have that resiliency and we would let it affect the defensive end for us. So just proud of us. We were really gritty on defense. Even when they were making runs, we always found a way to respond.”

    As the season progresses, WNBA fans will undoubtedly be watching closely to see how Clark’s promising rookie season continues to develop and see how she can contribute to her team’s success.



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  • Liberty plan to put franchise tag on Breanna Stewart and hope to bring back free agent Jonquel Jones

    Liberty plan to put franchise tag on Breanna Stewart and hope to bring back free agent Jonquel Jones

    Breanna Stewart and the New York Liberty fell just short of winning the franchise’s first WNBA championship, losing to the Las Vegas Aces in the Finals.

    It was the first time that Stewart experienced losing in a championship round since her freshman year of college. The league’s MVP had won the two Finals series she had played in before with Seattle and won four NCAA championships at UConn. Her lone loss in a title game came in the Big East Tournament her freshman season.

    “Making sure that I don’t feel that again, I think that’s really my mindset and mentality going forward,” Stewart said Friday.

    New York hopes to bring back most of the same team next season. Stewart could be an unrestricted free agent but Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb said that he would give her the franchise tag so that she can’t sign a contract directly with another team.

    “It’s my first time being cored. Not surprising,” Stewart said. “I’m excited for what we’re doing here in New York and with the Liberty. … I’m looking forward to it for many years to come.”

    Stewart enjoyed her first season in New York and is focused on trying to bring the city a championship.

    “This isn’t the goal that we had at the start of the season. We didn’t want to just get to the Finals. We weren’t content with being one game away from winning the whole thing,” she said. “But we wanted to win, and really just building off of that and not forgetting what it feels like to be here.”

    While Stewart definitely isn’t going anywhere in the near future, the Liberty will need to figure out a way to re-sign free agent Jonquel Jones, who flourished in the playoffs. She averaged 17.0 points, 11.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in the postseason.

    Jones, who came to New York in a trade in the offseason, is also an unrestricted free agent.

    “She’s a player that we definitely want to retain, and we’ll continue those talks into the offseason,” Kolb said.

    Jones enjoyed her first season in New York and said that she’s “definitely trending towards coming back here.”

    The Liberty already have Betnijah Laney, Courtney Vandersloot and Sabrina Ionescu signed for next season. Ionescu revealed on Friday that she was dealing with a hip injury in the WNBA Finals that she sustained against Connecticut in the previous round.

    She refused to use the ailment “as an excuse” but said that was not 100% in the Finals. She averaged just 9.7 points and shot 31.5% from the field in the four games.

    “I had to get an injection before (Game 1) just to be able to play those first two Vegas games,” she said. “So obviously, not ideal. It’s just kind of what happens. There’s no excuse obviously but, I mean, I wasn’t really able to walk, so timing wasn’t great.”



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