WNBA2 hours ago2 minute read

New York Liberty Focus on Survival After Game 2 Timeout Confusion

The New York Liberty are moving past a controversial timeout mistake from Game 2 as they face elimination at home against the Atlanta Dream.

The EagleEyeOdds deskWritten from the match data, checked against our model before it goes out

Moving Past the Drama

The New York Liberty are trying to put a frustrating end to Game 2 behind them. Down 2-0 in their best of five semifinal series against the Atlanta Dream, the Liberty face elimination on Friday night.

The team has been dealing with the fallout from late game confusion over timeouts. During overtime in Game 2, the Liberty did not use their reset timeout, which would have allowed them to advance the ball. Instead, they had to inbound from under their own basket with 4.3 seconds left, trailing by three. Breanna Stewart missed a deep 3 pointer as time expired.

Liberty coach Chris DeMarco wants his team to look forward. "We move on and focus is on tonight. It has to be," DeMarco said on Friday.

The Timeout Confusion

Stewart said she asked an official and was told the team did not have a reset timeout left. However, crew chief Fatou Cissoko Stephens said in a pool report that officials had confirmed the Liberty did have the timeout.

Stewart expressed frustration over how the league and the officials handled the situation, saying it put her in a position to question her integrity. "I know who I am and what I stand for and what I heard," Stewart said.

The mistake was not just on the officials. DeMarco confirmed that the Liberty coaching staff is responsible for tracking timeouts. Stewart noted that the staff also believed they were out of timeouts, calling it a learning experience for everyone.

A Historic Comeback Attempt

Now back in Brooklyn, the eighth seeded Liberty are trying to make history. No team in WNBA history has ever come back from a 2-0 deficit to win a best of five series.

To keep their season alive, the Liberty will need another big performance. Stewart scored 35 points in Game 2, but it was not enough to stop the Dream. Atlanta has not lost a single game in the postseason so far.

What it means for the next game

Atlanta Dream at New York Liberty (WNBA, Fri, 09 Oct): New York Liberty win 54%, Atlanta Dream win 46%; projected score New York Liberty 86, Atlanta Dream 83. Our safest pick: Dream +10.5.

Atlanta Dream at New York Liberty (WNBA, Sun, 11 Oct): New York Liberty win 32%, Atlanta Dream win 68%; projected score New York Liberty 81, Atlanta Dream 85. Our safest pick: Dream +2.5.