Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the WNBA daily as we try to heal from this pandemic.
Some fantastic defense by Rebecca Allen sealed the win for the Liberty.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Juan Ocampo/Getty Images.)
On the eve of the 24th anniversary (yes, I know the league is promoting this as the 25th anniversary but the game happened on June 21, 1997 and that’s technically 24 years ago) of the WNBA’s first game, the New York Liberty and the Los Angeles Sparks went at it again.
It was not a pretty game, much like the inaugural contest. The number of turnovers on Sunday (47 total) exceeded that of the first game (44). The Liberty themselves committed 29.
But still, the Liberty led by 14 in the third. The Sparks came back, however, and were able to tie it by the end of the period. L.A. actually led by four halfway through the fourth but Betnijah Laney scored four straight points late to give the Liberty a 74-71 lead. With 24 seconds left, the Sparks trailed by one. Kristi Toliver put up a three but Rebecca Allen was able to deflect the shot. Toliver fouled Allen during a loose ball with 8 seconds left.
Allen came through with the foul shots. And then in the next possession, Erica Wheeler tried to tie the game but Allen thwarted the shot again. Nia Coffey was able to get a three off but her shot rimmed out and the Liberty won the anniversary game.
Rebecca Allen seemed to do everything. She scored 19 points as well as getting 6 boards, three steals, and three blocks (all of them in the fourth and two of them in the last minute). The Liberty go back above .500 with this important win. The Sparks are two games below .500.
Bullet Passes
Your women’s USA basketball team for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics:
What a team. Although Chiney Ogwumike expressed disappointment for her older sister, Nneka.
✔️WNBA MVP & Champion in 2016 (last Olympic year)
✔️6x All-Star
✔️4x All-WNBA
✔️4x WNBA All-Defensive Team
✔️2x FIBA World Cup Gold Medalist
✔️ No. 1 pick & ROY
✔️Euroleague Champion
✔️WNBPA President
✔️oh, and she is one of few who went to every Team USA camp the last 5 years pic.twitter.com/iEzDduj4Kj— Chiney Ogwumike (@chiney) June 21, 2021
The Americans have a powerful women’s team as it is. Putting Nneka Ogwumike would mean swapping out one of those talented ladies. I hate this for Nneka but I’m thrilled for the rest that got selected.
Let’s continue to support women’s sports, guys. Look at this all-woman JORDAN team right here.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the @WNBA’s inaugural game, Jordan Brand is proud to announce its largest female roster ever: A group of inspiring women, whose impact extends far beyond the court, and who continue to prove they’re here for a reason.
Photo by Ming Smith.
— Jordan (@Jumpman23) June 21, 2021
WNBA Scoreboard
June 20, 2021
Watch This Play
The Aussie, Rebecca Allen, put on a tour de force defensively. This second block definitely sealed the game.
Back-to-back huge defensive stops for @becallen8 to end the game pic.twitter.com/mRCVUgRMA2
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 20, 2021
Incredible defense.
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the WNBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.
R.I.P. Nala.