New York had to earn this one down the stretch.
Two-time WNBA Finals MVP Breanna Stewart scored 22 points and Leonie Fiebich made an immediate impact in her first game since July 3, adding 20 as the Liberty held off the Indiana Fever 109-102 on Saturday night. Jonquel Jones chipped in 19 points and 10 rebounds for New York, which improved to 23-15.
The game was tied at 100 before Stewart split a pair of free throws to put the Liberty in front. After an Indiana miss, Fiebich converted a basket through contact with 57.5 seconds remaining, though she missed the ensuing free throw.
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Caitlin Clark had a chance to answer on the other end, but her driving layup would not fall, and Fiebich came down with the rebound. Astier then drew a foul with less than 30 seconds remaining and sank both free throws to give New York a five-point cushion.
Both teams knew how important this game was, with playoff positioning at stake and the standings tight from third through eighth place. New York led by four at the half, and then Sabrina Ionescu and Fiebich got going. The pair combined for 19 of the Liberty’s 31 points in the period as New York extended its lead to 85-78 heading into the fourth.
Indiana rallied to tie it on Kelsey Mitchell’s 3-pointer with 1:44 left. Mitchell finished with 25 points. Aliyah Boston had 22 and Clark 21.
New York finally had its full lineup healthy for the first time in nearly six weeks as Fiebich played her first game since suffering a foot injury. Jones was back after missing most of the Liberty’s last game against Chicago on Tuesday with a tweaked left ankle.
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With Indiana visiting, there were rallies outside the arena before the game both for and against transgender women in sports. Fever reserve Sophie Cunningham had said in an ESPN profile published last month that she was opposed to transgender girls and women competing in girls’ and women’s sports. Cunningham was met with a mixture of boos and cheers from the sellout crowd.
Jones got going early, as she’s done ever since the All-Star break. The Liberty’s 6-foot-6 center had 17 points and seven rebounds at the half as New York held a 53-49 advantage.
The Fever are in the middle of a brutal stretch of five road games in eight days. They have gone 2-2 so far.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
