Over Memorial Day weekend at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the defending WNBA champion New York Liberty faced off against the Indiana Fever in a highly anticipated liberty vs fever match. With both teams off to strong starts—New York setting a single-game free-throw record and Indiana winning two of its first three—the stakes were high. In a back-and-forth contest, the Liberty eked out a 90–88 victory, setting the tone for the rest of the Eastern Conference finals weekend.
Early Struggles and Second-Quarter Surge
The first half saw the Fever seize momentum. Indiana roared out to a double-digit lead, capped by Caitlin Clark’s buzzer-beating three to win the third quarter 30–13. Natasha Howard’s aggressive drives and Aliyah Boston’s dominant interior play gave Indiana a 76–68 advantage heading into the fourth.
Meanwhile, the Liberty battled injuries and foul trouble. Rookie Lexie Hull entered for the injured Leonie Fiebich to start the second half. But New York’s balanced scoring kept them within striking distance:
- Sabrina Ionescu responded with floaters and timely jump shots.
- Natasha Cloud stemmed runs with steals and pushed the pace in transition.
- Jonquel Jones grabbed offensive rebounds, converting put-backs to chip away at Indiana’s lead.
Fourth-Quarter Drama Seals the Win
The final period delivered non-stop excitement. Indiana continued its balanced attack, with Jalen Brunson’s sister, Jalen Brunson? Correction: Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston combined for critical buckets. But the Liberty’s resilience shone through in crunch time.
- At 5:33, Jones sank a go-ahead three (82–81 NYL), silencing Fever fans.
- With 2:36 remaining, Ionescu’s pull-up jumper restored New York’s 86–84 edge.
- Boston tied it again at 88–88 with 1:18 left.
- Facing a reset timeout, Ionescu drove and drew a foul on Lexie Hull, splitting the free throws (90–88).
- In the final seconds, Cloud blocked Clark’s attempt, securing the Liberty’s narrow triumph.
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Standout Performances
The Liberty’s depth was on full display:
- Jonquel Jones: Finished with a game-high 23 points, including five crucial fourth-quarter points, plus 12 rebounds.
- Sabrina Ionescu: Scored 21 points, with a late 9-0 personal run that shifted the tide.
- Natasha Cloud: Contributed 18 points and several key defensive plays, including the decisive block.
- Lexie Hull & Aliyah Boston: Each chipped in 10 points, providing vital support off the bench.
For Indiana, Clark led with 24 points, while Boston added 21. Despite the loss, their strong start bodes well for the Fever’s season.
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What’s Next for Both Teams
The Liberty improved to 3–0, building on blowout wins over Chicago and Las Vegas. They will return to Indy on June 14 for Game 2 of this four-game season series. Fans wondering where to watch New York Liberty vs Indiana Fever can catch the next matchup on ESPN and the WNBA app.
Indiana falls to 2–2 but showed that fever game energy is very real. Head coach Stephanie White praised her squad’s fight and vowed to make adjustments ahead of the rematch.
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With a statement win in hostile territory, the New York Liberty prove they remain a championship contender. Their mix of veteran savvy and young talent promises thrilling WNBA games all season.
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