Betnijah Laney-Hamilton was a key player in the New York Liberty’s WNBA Finals Game 2 win against the Minnesota Lynx. She was seen to be on top form during the match, making her first 3-pointer just five minutes into the contest and her last one with 3 minutes left, extending Liberty’s lead from two to five points. Her post-match jubilation with teammates Sabrina Ionescu and Kayla Thornton highlighted the team spirit among the Liberty members. The 20 points she scored during the match tied her season high, helping to keep her opponents’ most threatening players in check.
The victory in Game 2 came as a revitalizing rebound for New York, after a startling collapse during Game 1 of the 2024 WNBA finals. Many outstanding players stepped up to the challenge, with Laney-Hamilton taking center stage. The lack of consistency from Minnesota Lynx was seen as one of the contributing factors to their loss, as pointed out by their coach, Cheryl Reeve. Despite Laney-Hamilton’s minimal impact in Game 1, she turned the tables during Game 2, stunning supporters and opponents alike.
On the day prior to Game 2, Sandy Brondello, the Liberty coach, acknowledged Laney-Hamilton’s dedication and assured that she’d get back in her groove soon. As evident in the warm-ups on the day of the match, Laney-Hamilton was laser-focused and managed to make an instant impression when the game began. Known for playing through both ends of the floor, her aggressive and open gameplay gave the Liberty just the edge they needed.
However, Laney-Hamilton’s journey to the finals wasn’t smooth sailing. She had to sit out for nearly two months during the regular season due to a knee operation. Despite her absence, other players including Stewart, Ionescu, and Jones managed to carve their own place in the team, leading Liberty to an impressive 32 regular-season wins. However, during the finals, Laney-Hamilton proved her worth by scoring twenty points, a feat she hadn’t achieved since July.
The New York Liberty team’s strength lies in each player’s ability to fill in for another, making every player a key participant in their victories. General manager Jonathan Kolb commended this resilience. Emerging contrary to New York’s united front, the Lynx displayed inconsistency in their team’s performance. Still, they remain hopeful that a home-court advantage in the coming games might set things right.
Finally, Laney-Hamilton did not disclose much about her recent health issues. Instead, she cited her performance during the match as a taste of her true potential. The outcome of the rest of the finals still hangs in balance, but if Laney-Hamilton’s performance is anything to gauge by, New York Liberty has every chance to come out victorious in the 2024 WNBA Finals.
