Liberty Face Frustrating Loss in Overtime Against Dream

ATLANTA — With just 4.3 seconds left in overtime and Angel Reese at the free-throw line, the Liberty found themselves in a tight spot.

Breanna Stewart turned to official Kevin Fahy, asking if the Liberty had a reset timeout available. This timeout could help them advance the ball to the frontcourt for a possible substitution. She also asked another official, just to make sure.

Fahy seemed unsure and mentioned he would check with the scorer’s table. The final verdict was no; they didn’t have a reset timeout.

New York’s last shot—Stewart’s 3-pointer—didn’t go in. The Liberty lost to the Atlanta Dream 101-98, putting their season in jeopardy.

Afterward, they discovered that they actually had that reset timeout all along, which meant they could have advanced the ball.

“I’m not blaming the refs, but when I ask if we have a reset timeout and get told no, only to find out later we did, it’s really frustrating,” Stewart said, who had an impressive game with 35 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists. “I had a decent look at the end, but clarity on that situation would have been nice.”

Sabrina Ionescu mentioned that she too had asked about the reset timeout, as did several on coach Chris DeMarco’s staff.

It seems everyone was told no.

However, a report from the league presented a slightly different story.

Crew chief Fatou Cissoko-Stephens stated there was “no direct communication” with New York’s staff regarding the reset timeout.

When asked why Stewart was misinformed, Cissoko-Stephens explained that Stewart was beside referee Fahy when he confirmed with his partner that New York indeed still had a reset timeout left.

Neither the officials nor the league provided further explanation when pressed for details.

Ionescu remarked on how a major officiating mistake can definitely influence the outcome of a game.

“It’s just unacceptable, especially since we asked so many times and were given a wrong answer,” Ionescu said. “Nothing can be done about it now, but that mistake was costly.”

The Liberty contacted the league right after the game to inquire about the situation, as reported.

Leonie Fiebich didn’t think the officiating was the main issue for their loss.

“It might seem dramatic, but I don’t believe that’s the reason we lost,” Fiebich said. “Yes, it’s unfortunate, but we could have won earlier in the game; it shouldn’t have even come to that.”

The Dream anticipated a strong response from the Liberty after Atlanta took Game 1, which New York labeled a “must-win.”

Game 2 was intense, featuring 17 lead changes and eight ties.

Rookie Marine Fauthoux hit a game-tying 3-pointer with just 9.9 seconds remaining in regulation.

Rhyne Howard had a chance to win the game but her shot rolled off the rim.

The teams entered overtime where a few costly mistakes occurred in the crucial final minute.

While New York was trailing by one, Jonquel Jones attempted to push into the paint but was met by three defenders, resulting in a jump ball with just 14.1 seconds left.

New York retained the possession, but their hopes of tying the series vanished when Ionescu’s pass went astray, landing in the second row.

No one can say for sure if using a reset timeout would have changed the last play, but the mistake left a bitter taste for the Liberty.

Post-game, Ionescu took responsibility for her performance.

“This loss is on me,” she admitted, noting her struggles at the free-throw line, missing four out of six attempts. “I just have to own it and improve.”

The Liberty, who made headlines with a surprising sweep of the top-seeded Lynx in the first round, now face a tough challenge.

They are up against a Dream team that hasn’t lost since before the FIBA break, extending their winning streak to eight games.

No team in WNBA history has overcome a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-five series, and the Liberty will head back to Brooklyn for a crucial Game 3 on Friday.

“It’s a quick turnaround,” Stewart said. “Right now, we’re not thinking about winning three in a row; we’re just focused on winning this next game on Friday.”