Liberty vs Fever: Jonquel Jones Stars in Thrilling 90-88 Win as Clark’s Late Heroics Fall Short
Liberty vs Fever : In a game that epitomized the intensity of early-season WNBA basketball, the New York Liberty (3-0) edged the Indiana Fever (2-2) 90-88 in a nail-biter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Fueled by Jonquel Jones’ dominant 26-point, 12-rebound performance and Sabrina Ionescu’s ice-cold free throws, the defending champions survived Caitlin Clark’s chaotic triple-double (18 pts, 10 ast, 10 TOs) and a controversial no-call on the final play to remain unbeaten 111.
Match Overview: A Rollercoaster of Momentum Swings
The game swung like a pendulum, with both teams holding double-digit leads. Here’s a breakdown of the drama:
Key Moments
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First Half: Liberty’s Early Dominance
New York raced to a 55-46 halftime lead behind Jones’ 14 first-half points and Ionescu’s 11-point second quarter. Indiana struggled with turnovers (9 in the first half), allowing the Liberty to capitalize in transition 1210. -
Third Quarter: Fever’s 30-13 Explosion
Indiana flipped the script, outscoring New York 30-13 in the third. Aliyah Boston (27 pts, 13 reb) dominated the paint, while Clark ignited the crowd with a four-point play and a 34-foot buzzer-beater to cap a 12-point lead 1115. -
Fourth Quarter: Liberty’s Championship Grit
New York clawed back with a 22-12 fourth quarter. Jones scored 14 points in the final frame, including back-to-back threes, while Natasha Cloud’s defensive hustle (5 steals, 2 blocks) stifled Clark. Ionescu’s free throws with 2.9 seconds left sealed the win 17. -
The Final Play: Controversy Erupts
With 2.9 seconds left, Clark drove for a potential game-tying shot but was stripped by Cloud. Fever coach Stephanie White blasted the no-call, citing a -31 free-throw discrepancy over four games: “The disrespect for our team is unbelievable” 67.
Tactical Breakdown: How the Liberty Survived
New York’s Adjustments
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Defensive Switch on Clark: Coach Sandy Brondello assigned Natasha Cloud to shadow Clark full-time in the fourth, limiting her to 2-of-7 shooting. Cloud’s physicality disrupted Clark’s rhythm and forced 10 turnovers 712.
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Crashing the Boards: The Liberty outrebounded Indiana 42-38, with Jones and Breanna Stewart (16 pts) combining for 20 rebounds to neutralize Boston’s dominance 10.
Indiana’s Missed Opportunities
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Paint Dominance Unrewarded: The Fever outscored New York 52-42 in the paint but shot just 11 free throws (vs. New York’s 32), highlighting their struggle to earn officiating respect 612.
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Clark’s Shooting Woes: Clark’s 2-of-11 three-point shooting extended her early-season slump, though her playmaking (10 assists) kept Indiana competitive 1115.
Star Performers
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Jonquel Jones (Liberty): 26 pts, 12 reb, 3 ast – Dominated the paint and hit clutch threes to spark the comeback 112.
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Aliyah Boston (Fever): 27 pts, 13 reb – Outmuscled New York’s frontcourt, shooting 12-of-18 from the field 1011.
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Sabrina Ionescu (Liberty): 23 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast – Delivered under pressure with game-winning free throws 715.
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Caitlin Clark (Fever): 18 pts, 10 ast, 10 TO – Historic triple-double marred by inefficiency and turnovers 1115.
Controversies and Turning Points
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The No-Call Heard ‘Round the WNBA: Replays showed Cloud making contact with Clark’s arm on the final play, but officials swallowed their whistles. The Fever’s -31 free-throw disparity this season has become a rallying cry for fans 67.
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Clark’s Triple-Double Paradox: Clark joined Betty Lennox as the only WNBA players with three career games of 9+ turnovers. Her 10 assists showcased brilliance, but her 10 TOs underscored growing pains 1115.
Post-Game Reactions
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Sandy Brondello (Liberty HC): “We showed our championship DNA. Jonquel was unstoppable, and Sabrina’s poise won it” 12.
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Stephanie White (Fever HC): “We’re getting hammered inside and getting no calls. It’s egregious” 7.
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Caitlin Clark: “I’ll learn from the turnovers. We’re close to breaking through” 10.
Implications for Both Teams
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Liberty: Join the 2018 Las Vegas Aces as the only teams to open with three straight 90-point games. Their depth (six players with 9+ points) makes them title favorites 1115.
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Fever: Despite the loss, Clark’s playmaking and Boston’s emergence signal playoff potential. Their next test: Wednesday at Washington 1012.
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Conclusion: A Preview of WNBA’s New Era
This game wasn’t just a thriller—it was a microcosm of the league’s evolution. The Liberty’s veteran savvy clashed with the Fever’s youthful exuberance, creating must-watch drama. While New York’s title credentials shone, Indiana’s grit suggests they’ll be a playoff threat. One thing’s certain: the Liberty vs Fever rivalry is just heating up.
For more WNBA coverage, visit ESPN WNBA, Fever News, and Basketball Australia.