NEW YORK — The New York Liberty players each had their own way of coping with the devastating loss in Game 1 against the Minnesota Lynx.

Star guard Sabrina Ionescu admitted she couldn’t just “let go” of the result. Forward Leonie Fiebich watched the entire game three times in the 36 hours following the overtime defeat. Veteran guard Courtney Vandersloot described moving on as a “process.”

Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello was grateful for the two-day break between Game 1 and Game 2, allowing her time to review footage and reflect. However, by 3 p.m. on Sunday, a new game was underway, signaling a fresh start for the series.

While there were some unsettling similarities — like New York’s 17-point lead shrinking to just two with 3:21 left in the game — Game 2 saw the rise of a previously quiet player: Liberty wing Betnijah Laney-Hamilton.

Laney-Hamilton had played the least amount of time among New York’s starters in Game 1, clocking in just 26 minutes. But in Game 2’s 80-66 win, she scored 20 points, matching her season high. Her crucial 3-pointer with 3:20 remaining expanded the lead to five points, the most pivotal moment of the game.

Following that shot, she grabbed a rebound during the next play as the Barclays Center’s record crowd of 18,040 erupted in celebration.

That Laney-Hamilton became Sunday’s standout was remarkable, especially considering Brondello’s comments the day before. Laney-Hamilton had only played 28 games in the regular season, missing significant time due to a knee surgery.

“She’s giving everything she has,” Brondello had said Saturday. “It’s not the same B as earlier in the season, but she’s trying.”

On Sunday, she did more than just try. Besides her scoring, Laney-Hamilton guarded Courtney Williams (who had only 15 points compared to 23 in Game 1) and Kayla McBride (who managed just eight after scoring 22 on Thursday).

Despite Laney-Hamilton’s contribution and bounce-back performances from Stewart (21 points, eight rebounds, five assists) and Ionescu (15 points), there were still moments that felt familiar. New York surged to a 10-point lead in the first quarter, only for it to dwindle to six within a few minutes. At halftime, the lead stood at 10 but was cut to four with 90 seconds left in the third quarter. In the fourth, the Liberty saw their 11-point advantage shrink to just two, stirring anxiety among the home crowd.

But this time, a collapse wasn’t in the cards.

Stewart recorded three of her finals-record seven steals in the final five minutes, Jonquel Jones made a critical layup with 3:57 left, and Fiebich hit an open 3-pointer with 90 seconds remaining to extend the lead to nine.

As Minnesota called a timeout, Laney-Hamilton and Ionescu pumped their fists in celebration.

Collier’s relatively quiet game (16 points, eight rebounds) and Williams’ late missed 3-pointer confirmed that Sunday’s outcome would be different from Thursday’s.

Game 3 of the now-tied series is scheduled for Wednesday at 8 p.m.

Laney-Hamilton Emerges as X-Factor

Less than three months after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies from her right knee, Laney-Hamilton has been playing limited minutes in the postseason. While she’s not at 100%, the 2021 All-Star demonstrated that she could still step up when needed.

Coming into Sunday, she had scored in double digits only once during New York’s seven playoff games and was shooting just 29.1% from the field. With Minnesota guarding Fiebich more closely after her five 3-pointers in Game 1, the Liberty needed someone else to step up, and Laney-Hamilton answered the call.

She was aggressive, pulling up off screens and driving to the basket with purpose. When New York’s offensive flow stalled, she capitalized on defensive switches by posting up smaller defenders.

Laney-Hamilton’s corner 3-pointer, off a no-look pass from Ionescu, extended New York’s lead to 71-66 with 3:21 left — one of the game’s decisive moments. Minnesota never came within one possession again.

Her 20 points tied her season high, a mark she hadn’t reached since before her surgery and the Olympic break.

While Brondello hesitated to use her down the stretch in Game 1 due to her movement, Laney-Hamilton proved on Sunday that she was indispensable.

Minnesota’s Resilience Shines Through

The Lynx once again found themselves trailing early, this time facing a 17-point deficit in the second quarter, compared to 18 in Game 1.

However, Minnesota stuck to its game plan, relying on ball movement and defensive pressure to wear down New York. It nearly worked, as the Lynx pulled within two points in the fourth quarter.

Although they couldn’t complete the comeback this time, the Lynx’s ability to rally from such large deficits twice bodes well for them as the series heads to Minnesota.

Kayla McBride and Napheesa Collier both emphasized their team’s resilience after Game 1, and that determination was evident once again, despite the final score.