On Saturday afternoon, New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello told reporters that Betoniyah Rainey-Hamilton is not him.
“She's doing everything she can,” Brondello said. According to Jackie Powell of The Next. “I think everyone can see that she's trying. She's not the same B that we've seen all season, but it is what it is.”
Twenty-four hours later, Laney Hamilton tied her season high for points, exploding for 20 points on 8-for-14 shooting to lead Liberty into Game 2. WNBA They defeated the Minnesota Lynx in the final.
Laney Hamilton underwent surgery on his right knee in mid-July and missed most of the second half of the season recovering. After surgery, Laney Hamilton clearly wasn't 100% healthy. She was averaging only 5.9 points in the postseason entering Sunday's game, and defensively she wasn't moving like the elite defenders Liberty relied on.
But in front of a raucous crowd at Barclays Center, Laney Hamilton found her footing and helped Liberty avoid an 0-2 final hole.
“It's what we're used to,” Brianna Stewart said. “We know she can do it. We've had some ups and downs this season, and we're really happy to see her get into a good rhythm and she's going to be involved in all of our activities.” I know it's a big factor.”
Laney Hamilton made 4-6 threes in 32 minutes (his best since the first round of the playoffs), tying his best shooting of the season. With so many Liberty players to worry about, the Lynx sometimes hid under screens when guarding her, but this time she took advantage.
After the win, Laney Hamilton fought back tears in a post-game interview with ESPN's Holly Rowe, praising her Liberty teammates for being patient with her return to elite football.
“I'm really grateful to my teammates because they continued to believe in me as I was coming back to my senses,” she said.
Laney Hamilton is no slouch on offense. Last season, she hit a career-high 40.2 percent from 3-point range, so the coaching staff was hoping to utilize the Lynx where she could get clean looks.
“We just encouraged her to shoot three times,” Brondello said. “She's a great 3-point shooter and she was hitting it in practice before the game yesterday. She's digging deep, and that's what we needed. We knew we had to bounce back. But it was a big bounce-back game.”
Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve acknowledged that her team could benefit from significant contributions from role players as well.
“You need guys that are more than star players, and they did that in two games,” Sheryl Reeve said. “We're having a hard time getting it consistently. We've got to have it.”
New York benefited from Leonie Fibich's 17 points on 5-7 threes in Game 1, and Game 2 will forever be known as Rainey vs. Hamilton.
“Thanks to the B's we were able to get this margin and win the game,” Brondello said.
It was no surprise that one of Liberty's most veteran players would play such a key role in such a win-or-lose moment. Laney Hamilton has been with the Liberty since 2021 and has been scoring in double figures throughout that time.
But her influence on the team doesn't necessarily show up on the stat sheet. That's lockdown defense. It's a hustle. It's about showing leadership in the locker room and during timeouts.
“I think what B brings to the table is this grit, this toughness. We all know she's giving us everything she's got,” Stewart said. spoke.
At her best, she can open up the floor for the New York All-Stars. If Minnesota needs to take away Laney Hamilton's jumper, it takes some of the defensive pressure off Sabrina Ionescu and Stewart.
“You put the ball in her hands, [to] Be more of a playmaker — it just puts some pressure on these two in particular. [Stewart and Ionescu]'' Brondello said.
It's only one game, but the Liberty needs two more to win the franchise's first WNBA Championship. But in the end, a healthy Rainey Hamilton may be what they need to overcome the hurdles.
“I feel good,” Laney Hamilton said. “I hope I continue to feel like this mentally and physically as we move forward towards this championship.”
