Pauline Astier Shines in Overtime Victory for Liberty
WASHINGTON — With just 19.3 seconds left in overtime, rookie guard Pauline Astier stood at the free throw line, facing the pressure of a two-point deficit for the Liberty.
“I was just trying to breathe,” she shared. “I thought, ‘Okay, all that’s left is free throws.’ … I was just trying to stay calm.”
She made both free throws, contributing to a 98-93 win against the Washington Mystics. Though her time in New York has only spanned about two weeks, Astier has already won over her teammates with her poise and fearless play, especially as she filled in for the injured Sabrina Ionescu.
Jonquel Jones, seated on the bench during the tense moments, expressed both admiration and a bit of anxiety about Astier’s performance. “She was splitting double teams and things like that,” Jones remarked, chuckling. “I was like, ‘Girl, my hair is going to fall out. Hold the ball.’ But she felt comfortable, and in the end, we got the win.”
Earlier, in a game against the Connecticut Sun, Astier had a strong debut, scoring 18 points on 60% shooting, along with seven assists and five rebounds. Remarkably, she has now joined the ranks of only three rookies, including Paige Backers and Candice Parker, who have made such an impact early in their careers.
It’s admittedly early to gauge the current Rookie of the Year race, but Astier’s solid defense and speedy finishes towards the basket definitely make her a contender. She has accumulated 11 assists with just two turnovers in her first two games.
“There’s not a lot of pressure. I’m just here to have fun with the team,” Astier mentioned. “We have high goals, and I’m a competitor who wants to win. So, I feel good within the team and the system we play in. I’m confident and happy to help the team succeed.”
Jones is looking forward to Astier’s growth throughout the season. “She plays with so much confidence and maturity, and we’re thrilled to have her on our team,” Jones said. “I can’t wait to see her continue to develop and get even more comfortable in this league. She’s doing really well, and I’m glad she’s here.”
