Sandy Brondello was looking forward to the match against the Dream on Tuesday night.
Following Liberty’s first defeat of the season, the coaches were eager to observe how their team would respond to one of the league’s top competitors.
“Losing can really reveal a team’s true character,” Brondello mentioned beforehand. “This group has such great character. I’m really curious to see how we perform tonight.”
To really grasp the essence of this team, it’s essential to focus on the last 14 minutes of their 86-81 victory.
Liberty seemed to be struggling with 3:56 left in the third quarter.
The Dream surged with a 15-3 run, stretching their lead to 17 points, leaving Liberty looking somewhat flat in the third.
However, the takeaway here is to never underestimate the defending champions.
Sabrina Ionescu managed 11 points, cutting the Dream’s lead down to 8 as the fourth quarter began.
Ionescu’s impressive performance reignited the team.
The atmosphere in Barclays Center shifted dramatically.
Liberty became more aggressive and focused.
It might have taken them a while to find their rhythm, but Liberty dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring Atlanta 26-13.
Ionescu ended the game with 34 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Breanna Stewart added 23 points, and Jonquel Jones returned after missing two games due to an ankle issue, contributing his sixth double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Looking ahead, Liberty’s schedule remains tough.
Next, they’ll face the Mercury on Thursday, followed by a lengthy road trip with stops in Seattle, San Francisco, Phoenix, and Atlanta.
