STORM

Liberty rally in fourth to stun short-handed Seattle Storm 83-79

Aug 18, 2021, 6:19 PM | Updated: 8:08 pm

The Seattle Storm lost 83-79 to the New York Liberty on Wednesday night. (AP) The Seattle Storm lost 83-79 to the New York Liberty on Wednesday night. (AP) The Seattle Storm lost 83-79 to the New York Liberty on Wednesday night. (AP) The Seattle Storm lost 83-79 to the New York Liberty on Wednesday night. (AP) The Seattle Storm lost 83-79 to the New York Liberty on Wednesday night. (AP) The Seattle Storm lost 83-79 to the New York Liberty on Wednesday night. (AP) The Seattle Storm lost 83-79 to the New York Liberty on Wednesday night. (AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — Betnijah Laney scored 17 points, including the go-ahead basket from the top of the key with 17.6 seconds left, to lift the New York Liberty to an 83-79 victory over the short-handed Seattle Storm on Wednesday night.

New York Liberty 83, Seattle Storm 79: Box score

The Liberty (11-12) trailed by 10 heading into the fourth quarter before rallying behind Rebecca Allen, who had nine of her 17 points in the period. Her third 3-pointer of the quarter made it a two-point game with 1:38 left.

After a basket by Natasha Howard tied it. New York then got a stop on the other end and Laney took a few dribbles from the wing and banked in a shot just inside the 3-point line to beat the shot clock.

Laney then stole the ball on the ensuing possession and New York’s Sami Whitcomb made two free throws with 2.6 seconds left to seal the win.

The comeback ruined a stellar effort by Jewell Loyd, who scored 21 of her 35 points in the third quarter for Seattle. The 35 points matched her career best.

The Storm (16-7) were missing stars Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart, who were still resting after leading the U.S. to a seventh consecutive gold medal at the Olympics earlier this month. They are expected back when the teams play again on Friday.

It didn’t appear their absences would matter as the Storm still had Loyd, their third Tokyo Games gold medalist.

Trailing by one at the half, Loyd took over with a dazzling shooting display. She scored 17 of the team’s 19 points in the first five minutes of the third quarter to give the Storm a 58-49 lead. She hit jumpers from virtually everywhere on the court, making seven of her first eight shot attempts in the period.

By the time the quarter was over, Loyd outscored the Liberty 21-20 and Seattle led 72-62. New York scored 10 of the first 12 points in the final quarter to get back in the game.

New York was missing Jazmine Jones, who was sidelined with a minor right foot injury. She was in a walking boot, but coach Walt Hopkins said she is day-to-day.

Last time: Chicago Sky outlast Seattle Storm 87-85 in overtime

Storm

Seattle Storm Sue Bird...

The Associated Press

Sun beats Seattle Storm in Sue Bird’s final game in Connecticut

Alyssa Thomas and the Connecticut Sun spoiled former UConn star Sue Bird's final game in the state, beating the Seattle Storm 88-83.

2 years ago

Seattle Storm...

The Associated Press

Diggins-Smith outshines Bird, Taurasi; Mercury beats Seattle Storm

Skylar Diggins-Smith scored a career-high 35 points and the Phoenix Mercury used a dominant fourth quarter to beat the Seattle Storm 94-78.

2 years ago

Seattle Storm...

The Associated Press

Breanna Stewart hit 4 3s, scores 25 to help Storm beat Fever 81-65

Breanna Stewart scored 25 points, Jewell Loyd and Tina Charles added 15 points apiece and the Seattle Storm beat Indiana 81-65.

2 years ago

Seattle Storm...

The Associated Press

Seattle Storm beat Wings 83-74 as Stewart scores 15 in 2nd half

Breanna Stewart scored 15 of her 19 points in the second half and Ezi Magbegor had 13 points to help the Seattle Storm beat the Dallas Wings 83-74 on Tuesday.

2 years ago

WNBA All-Star Game...

The Associated Press

Sue Bird honored, Kelsey Plum wins MVP in WNBA All-Star Game

Team Wilson pulled away from Team Stewart and its trio of Seattle Storm stars for a 134-112 victory in the WNBA All-Star Game on Sunday.

2 years ago

Seattle Storm Breanna Stewart...

The Associated Press

Breanna Stewart scores 23 points, Seattle Storm rout Sparks 106-69

Breanna Stewart scored 19 of her 23 points in the first half and the Seattle Storm routed the Los Angeles Sparks 106-69 on Thursday night.

2 years ago

Liberty rally in fourth to stun short-handed Seattle Storm 83-79