German Takeover Helped Breanna Stewart’s Blunder as Coach Sandy Brondello Rejoices Game 3 Win

Playoffs hinge on strategic adjustments. A truth exemplified by the recent matchup between the New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx. While camera lights and newspaper headlines are flashing with Breanna Stewart’s dazzling 30-point game or Sabrina Ionescu’s game-winning heroics, fans and media are missing the masterful German adjustment made by Head Coach Sandy Brondello.

The German adjustment in question is: Nyara Sabally. After the Lynx built an early lead of 15 points, Brondello turned to Sabally, who played a pivotal role in the game. “I was really, really happy with Nyara,” Brondello noted post-game. “It was the plan to give her a few more extra minutes tonight.” Sabally’s energy during her 11 minutes on the court proved crucial, particularly with Stewart limited due to exhaustion and two early fouls.

“She played so hard, she was winded by the end of those seven minutes. We played her seven minutes in a row. But she was so effective. Just the ability, like they being so aggressive in what Nyara brings us. She’s always on her front foot, getting downhill. She’s always gonna run the floor and just 100 miles an hour, which is what we needed. So, it’s just been great to see her growth and there was never a doubt there,” Brondello plauded her star further.

Sabally wrapped up the night with 4 points shooting 50% from the field. She also helped the team with a rebound, a steal, and a block. Despite Stewart’s standout performance—scoring 30 points and grabbing 11 rebounds—her early foul trouble forced the Liberty to adapt. “Stewie came in a little sooner because Stewie got into two fouls early,” Brondello explained, acknowledging the challenge it presented.

Nevertheless, Stewart played fiercely, motivated to turn the tide. In fact, Liberty’s star player stated “We knew that our pace was something that made them tired. For me, it was just kind of like, I was motivated. I was mad.”

Stewart’s resilience and Coach Sandy’s key adjustments propelled New York to victory in Game 3

Brondello’s adjustments during the game, including her decision to sit both Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu at critical moments, were key to shifting the game’s momentum. “I thought that changed the pace of the game,” she remarked in the post-game press conference. “We struggled a little bit. I thought, not often do I sit both of these at the same time, very rarely. But I felt like we needed to at that moment.” This gamble paid off, as it gave Stewart enough time to catch her breath and also helped the Liberty to chase the Lynx’s ten-point lead after the first quarter.

While talking about the game, Stewart acknowledged her blunders “Sometimes things are frustrating. I pick up two fouls in the first quarter. But knowing that our team trusts and believes in us to be in this position to take these shots to help get the game in the right place.” She said while highlighting the role of her teammates in their victory “But at the same time, we wouldn’t be here without our teammates. And having that trust and belief just gives us confidence.”

Ultimately, this Game 3 victory not only highlighted Stewart’s talent and the effective coaching of Brondello but also the impact of the right role players in the playoffs.

Hence, the New York Liberty’s ability to adapt and overcome challenges has firmly established them as a dominant force in the WNBA. What remains to be seen is whether they can carry that momentum and prevail against the equally determined Minnesota Lynx in the upcoming games.