Stewart’s 38-Point Night Leads New York To Historic 111-76 Win in Minnesota – New York
| GAME LEADERS | NEW YORK | MINNESOTA |
| POINTS | Stewart (38) – Liberty Franchise Record for single-season 30-pt games (6)
|
Miller (18) |
| REBOUNDS | Stewart (11) | Miller (9) |
| ASSISTS | Vandersloot (9) | Banham (4) |
TEAM NOTABLES
On Saturday, the New York Liberty (27-7) defeated the Minnesota Lynx (17-18), 111-76, in the finale of their 2023 three-game season series, winning the series 2-1.
New York’s 35-point margin of victory tonight marked their largest-ever over Minnesota in their head-to-head regular season series, and it tied for the fourth-largest win in franchise history.
The Liberty’s 111 points are the second-most points in a single-game in franchise history, and it marked their sixth 100-point game of the season, adding to their single-season franchise record.
At Target Center, the Liberty shot a stellar 55.4% (41-74) from the field, 44.4% (12-27) from three, and 100% (17-17) at the free throw line – finishing with the second-most free throws made without a miss in team history.
New York shot 76.2% (16-21) from the field, including 83.3% (5-6) from three, and out-scored Minnesota 37-15 in the second quarter, taking a 30-point advantage into the half.
Tonight, the Liberty also committed a season-low six turnovers.
Up Next: The New York Liberty will return home and host the Las Vegas Aces on Monday, August 28, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2 in the finale of their four-game regular season series and fourth head-to-head meeting this month, including the Commissioner’s Cup.
KEY RUNS
Q1: New York went on a 14-3 run from the 9:31 mark of the first to the 6:58 mark of the opening quarter, during which 12 of New York’s 14 points were scored by Breanna Stewart on a perfect 100% (4-4) shooting from the field, including 100% (2-2) from three.
Q2: New York went on a 29-9 run from the 0:55 mark of the first to the 3:46 mark of the second quarter. New York went on a 16-6 run from the 3:46 mark of the second through the end of the first half.
Q3: New York went on a 14-6 run from the 2:03 mark of the third to the 2:03 mark of the quarter.
Q4: New York went on an 8-0 run from the 6:15 mark of the fourth to the 4:30 mark of the final quarter. Minnesota went on a 12-4 run from the 3:34 mark of the fourth to the 0:13 mark of the quarter.
PLAYER NOTABLES
New York finished with four double-digit scorers in tonight’s game (Stewart, Ionescu, Laney, Vandersloot).
Highlighted by 17 first-quarter points, Breanna Stewart finished with 38 points on 70.6% (12-17) shooting from the field, including 75% (6-8) from three, 11 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks, notching her 16th double-double of the season.
Breanna’s 38-point performance marked her sixth 30-point game of the season, breaking a three-way tie for the New York Liberty franchise single-season record for the most 30-point games.
Stewart’s 17 first-quarter points were two shy of her career-high in quarterly scoring, set earlier this season on May 21, 2023, against the Fever, and her 27-point first half came three points shy of the WNBA record for first-half points that she tied earlier this month, on August 13, 2023, against the Fever.
With her 11-rebound performance tonight bringing her rebounding total to 313 this season, the New York-native is now just eight boards from also breaking the Liberty single-season rebounding record of 320.
Sabrina Ionescu finished with 19 points on 70% (7-10) from the field, including 75% (3-4) from three, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Ten of her 19 points were scored in the second quarter on a perfect 100% (4-4) shooting from the field and 100% (2-2) from three.
With her three makes from deep tonight, she is now just eight threes away from eclipsing Diana Taurasi’s all-time single-season three-point record of 121 from 2006. Her 114 threes this season currently ranks second all-time in WNBA history for single-season three-point makes.
Betnijah Laney totaled 15 points on 42.9% (6-14) shooting from the floor, three rebounds, and two assists.
With her free throw at the 6:15 mark of the fourth, Courtney Vandersloot reached 4,000 points for her career. Ultimately, Vandersloot finished with 15 points on 66.7% (6-9) shooting from the field, nine assists, and two rebounds.
For Minnesota, Diamond Miller totaled 18 points and nine rebounds, while Aerial Powers added 15 points, four rebounds, and three assists off the bench.
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