NEW YORK – There was no unique way for the members of the New York Liberty to turn the tide after their historic Game 1 failure against the Minnesota Lynx.

Star guard Sabrina Ionescu said she couldn't just “wash away” the result. Striker Leonie Fiebich watched the contest in its entirety three times in the 36 hours immediately following the overtime loss. Senior guard Courtney Vandersloot described moving forward as “a process.”

Liberty coach Sandy Brondello was glad there were two days between Game 1 and Game 2 so she had more time to watch the film and think about it. But shortly after 3 p.m. on Sunday a new game began. And with that a new chapter in the series was written.

Although there were moments that felt eerily similar – New York, for example, saw their 17-point lead shrink to just two with 3:21 left in the game – Sunday's sequel featured a player who was in the opening game had only a relatively minor influence: Liberty wing Betnijah Laney-Hamilton.

Laney-Hamilton played the fewest minutes (26) of any New York starter in Game 1. She scored 20 points in the Liberty's 80-66 win in Game 2, tying her season high. Laney-Hamilton hit a three-pointer with 3:20 left, the biggest shot of the contest, which extended the lead back to five points.

She then grabbed a rebound on the ensuing possession as the Barclays Center record 18,040 fans in attendance cheered.

That Laney-Hamilton emerged as a star on Sunday is particularly impressive considering Brondello's prediction for the winger on Saturday. She played in only 28 games during the regular season, missing from July 6 to August 26 due to knee surgery.

“She gives what she can,” Brondello said Saturday. “I think everyone can see that she’s trying. It’s not the same B we’ve seen all season, but it is what it is.”

She did more than try. In addition to her offensive contributions, she spent time guarding Courtney Williams (who finished with just 15 points on Sunday, compared to 23 in Game 1) and Kayla McBride (who had just eight points after scoring 22 on Thursday).

And yet, despite the boost from Laney-Hamilton and the bounce-back games from Stewart (21 points, eight rebounds and five assists) and Ionescu (15). points), there were still moments when the two games seemed even. New York had a 10-point lead in the first quarter, but was down to six after 6:52.

The Liberty led by 10 points at halftime, but that lead was cut to four points with just 90 seconds left. In the fourth quarter, New York's lead grew to eleven, but also shrank. With just four minutes left, the Liberty were down by two, and the crowd felt a similar tension to the waning moments of Game 1.

This time, however, there would be no collapse.

Stewart had three of her Finals-record seven steals in the final five minutes. Jonquel Jones hit a timely layup with 3:57 left. Fiebich paused, took a deep breath and hit a crucial 3-pointer with 90 seconds left to extend New York's lead to nine points.

After Minnesota called a timeout, Laney-Hamilton pumped his fist. So did Ionescu.

Collier had a modest game by her standards (16 Points and eight rebounds), while a late 3-point attempt from Williams that rolled over the rim was a sign that Sunday afternoon would be different than Thursday night.

Game 3 of the 1-1 series takes place on Wednesday evening. The launch date is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET.

Laney-Hamilton becomes the X factor

Laney-Hamilton is less than three months removed from a procedure to remove two loose bodies from her right knee. Meanwhile she came off the bench increase to a full return and is still playing limited shifts in the postseasonwith recognition from everyone Laney-Hamilton won't be 100 percent in this series.

But even when she wasn't playing at her best, the 2021 All-Star was still capable of getting better. Laney-Hamilton had scored in double figures once in New York's seven postseason games as of Sunday, and she shot 29.1 percent from the floor.

The Liberty needed more offense in Game 2 as Minnesota covered Fiebich more after her five 3-pointers on Thursday and Laney-Hamilton came through. She was aggressive as she pulled herself up from screens and made strong drives to the basket.

When New York's offense stalled, she took advantage of the change by posting high smaller defenders in the post.

Laney-Hamilton made one of the biggest shots of the night, a corner 3-pointer after a no-look. throw out happen from Ionescu to extend the Liberty's lead to five points, 71-66, with 3:21 to play. Minnesota would never get another possession after that.

Her 20 points represented a season high; The last time she reached that total was before the Olympics break, and before her surgery.

In Game 1, Brondello was unable to get Laney-Hamilton on the court because of the way she moved. It would have been impossible to keep Laney-Hamilton off the floor on Sunday. — Sabreena Merchant, women's basketball writer

Minnesota remains resilient Loss

The Lynx once again fell behind early against the Liberty, this time falling behind by 17 points in the second quarter (compared to 18 in Game 1).

But Minnesota is holding firm Ball movement systemtrusting that the defense will eventually collapse and that their pressure defense will cause the opposing offense to stagnate. IIt didn't look like the formula would work again as the Lynx nearly eliminated the deficit still He came within two points again in the fourth quarter.

Although she couldn't Being able to break through and come so close to potentially taking a crucial 2-0 series lead bodes well for when the series moves to Minnesota.

Kayla McBride and Napheesa Collier highlighted their team's accomplishments Resilience after Game 1, although there were a number of mistakes throughout the 45 minutes, and that commitment was clearly felt again Sunday, despite the result. — Dealer

Required reading

(Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images)