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Liberty Coach Assigns Blame After Loss Against Caitlin Clark, Fever originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The New York Liberty did all they could to hold down Caitlin Clark in Sunday's matchup against the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Clark, however, had other plans. In her first game back after a five-game injury absence, the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year exploded for a season-high 32 points, eight rebounds and nine assists to lead the Fever to a 102-88 win over the defending champions.
After the game, Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello got brutally honest about how her team responded to Clark's hot shooting night. According to the New York shot-caller, it was her squad's ineffectiveness on the defensive end that ultimately led to their first loss of the season.
"Credit to Indiana, I thought they did a really good job here," Brondello said, via Michael Voepel of ESPN. "We had our moments ... we had that run where [Breanna Stewart] was guarding Caitlin Clark. But then they executed well, and we had so many breakdowns in defense.
"They made shots, they really punished us at that end, making 17 3s."
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) celebrates during a game. Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Seven of Indiana's 17 makes from downtown came courtesy of Clark. The Liberty came into the game with a game plan against Clark, but as Brondello said, they just weren't able to execute.
Clark caught fire early in the game, knocking down three straight triples in the opening quarter. She kept her foot on the gas to finish with 25 points in the half.
Clark scored just seven more points after the break, but Indiana held on to what could very well be their most important win of the season thus far.
These two teams face off twice in one week on July 16 and 22, and based on her comments here, it appears that Brondello and her coaching staff will do everything they can to make sure that the Liberty are ready for Clark and Co. when they take to the court again.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Continue reading...
The New York Liberty did all they could to hold down Caitlin Clark in Sunday's matchup against the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Clark, however, had other plans. In her first game back after a five-game injury absence, the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year exploded for a season-high 32 points, eight rebounds and nine assists to lead the Fever to a 102-88 win over the defending champions.
After the game, Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello got brutally honest about how her team responded to Clark's hot shooting night. According to the New York shot-caller, it was her squad's ineffectiveness on the defensive end that ultimately led to their first loss of the season.
"Credit to Indiana, I thought they did a really good job here," Brondello said, via Michael Voepel of ESPN. "We had our moments ... we had that run where [Breanna Stewart] was guarding Caitlin Clark. But then they executed well, and we had so many breakdowns in defense.
"They made shots, they really punished us at that end, making 17 3s."
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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) celebrates during a game. Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Seven of Indiana's 17 makes from downtown came courtesy of Clark. The Liberty came into the game with a game plan against Clark, but as Brondello said, they just weren't able to execute.
Clark caught fire early in the game, knocking down three straight triples in the opening quarter. She kept her foot on the gas to finish with 25 points in the half.
Clark scored just seven more points after the break, but Indiana held on to what could very well be their most important win of the season thus far.
These two teams face off twice in one week on July 16 and 22, and based on her comments here, it appears that Brondello and her coaching staff will do everything they can to make sure that the Liberty are ready for Clark and Co. when they take to the court again.
Related: WNBA Makes Caitlin Clark Announcement After Fever's Win Against Liberty
Related: Pat McAfee Had One Word for Caitlin Clark on Saturday
Related: Stephanie White Puts Caitlin Clark, Fever on Notice After Win Against Liberty
Related: Pat McAfee Had One Word for Caitlin Clark on Saturday
Related: Stephanie White Puts Caitlin Clark, Fever on Notice After Win Against Liberty
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Continue reading...
