New York Liberty Clinch No. 1 Seed for WNBA Playoffs: A Shot at Redemption
It’s been a long time coming, but the New York Liberty have finally clinched the No. 1 seed for the upcoming WNBA playoffs. After falling short in the finals last year, the Liberty (32-7) secured the top spot by defeating the Washington Mystics 87-71. This marks the first time since the 2015 WNBA playoffs that New York has claimed the coveted No. 1 seed.
Despite being one of the WNBA’s original franchises, the Liberty have never won a championship. They have finished as runners-up five times, in 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, and most recently in 2023. With their eyes set on the ultimate prize, the Liberty are determined to make this the year they break the curse.
“It was one of our goals that we set out — trying to get that home-court advantage,” said Liberty coach Sandy Brondello after the game. “We still have to take care of our business in the playoffs. … We have a great arena. We have great fans, so we want to play in front of our fans as much as we can.”
To secure home-court advantage during the postseason, the Liberty had to confront their scars from last year’s finals. As the No. 2 seed, they fell short in a four-game series against the Las Vegas Aces. The disappointing ending, an air-balled Courtney Vandersloot jumper, silenced fans who were eagerly anticipating a decisive fifth game.
Over the offseason, the Liberty underwent a period of reflection and growth. They started the current season with a 4-0 record, eventually achieving a 12-2 start, which tied the franchise’s best. However, the path to the No. 1 seed was far from smooth. The team had to contend with absences from key contributors like Betnijah Laney-Hamilton and Courtney Vandersloot. They also faced periodic struggles on the court.
Despite these challenges, the Liberty currently boast the WNBA’s best net rating. The added year of familiarity has helped create a more cohesive offense and defense. Breanna Stewart, a two-time MVP, is once again playing at an All-WNBA level, averaging 20.7 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.
The Liberty’s success has been historic, as they became the first franchise in WNBA history to record consecutive 30-win seasons. Now, their focus shifts to the first round of the playoffs, where they will face either the Mystics or the Chicago Sky/Atlanta Dream. The Minnesota Lynx secured the No. 2 seed on Tuesday night and will face the Phoenix Mercury.
Exact start times for the playoffs will be determined after the regular season concludes on Thursday.
In conclusion, the New York Liberty’s achievement of clinching the No. 1 seed for the WNBA playoffs is a testament to their resilience and determination. After years of falling short, they have their sights set on their first championship. With a star-studded roster and the advantage of home-court, the Liberty are poised to make a deep run in the playoffs. The stage is set, and the stage is theirs to conquer.