Liberty coach Sandy Brondello acknowledged that starting forward Betoniyah Rainey-Hamilton is experiencing physical challenges after undergoing knee surgery in July.
Laney Hamilton lost to the Lynx in Game 1 on Thursday, scoring just five points on 2-of-7 shooting in 26 minutes.
“The movement of 'B' was not very good. I think you saw that,” Brondello said after Saturday’s practice. “She's playing. She's giving it her all. I think we all know she's trying. The same 'B' that we've seen all season. No, but it is what it is. ”
Laney Hamilton had two loose bodies removed from his right knee on July 16th and returned to action on August 26th.
She finished the regular season as the team's fourth-leading scorer with 11.8 points per game, but in seven playoff games she averaged just 5.9 points, shooting 29.1 percent from the floor and 18.2 percent from 3-point range. Ta.
Brianna Stewart backed the news that next year's WNBA Finals will be expanded from a best-of-five game to a best-of-seven game, with the first round moving to a best-of-three game 1-1-1.
In the opening round, the top seeds currently play the first two games at home.
“I think everyone wants the WNBA season to continue, especially so that the Finals can have a longer series. And especially in the Finals, these two teams are the best teams, so I hope they keep fighting for as long as possible.” '' Stewart said. “But I think the important thing is that the first-round matchups go 1-1-1. That way, if we make the playoffs, we'll get another result as well.” [at least] 1 home game. ”
Rookie forward Leonie Fibich, who joined the starting lineup just before the playoffs began, scored 17 points on 5 of 9 3-pointers in his first Finals appearance.
“I think she handled it well,” Brondello said. “I think she gave her all. …Leo has been great for us and we're going to need it again. [Sunday in Game 2]”
