You never want to start slow. When you don’t get off to a good start, you spend the rest of your time scrambling and trying to make up for early mistakes. Sometimes, you’re able to make it all the way back. However, even if you do catch up, you have to hit another gear if you want to escape with a win. And if you can’t find that gear late, you’re in a tough spot.

Coming into Saturday’s game, the New York Liberty were looking to bounce back following their first loss of the season against the Chicago Sky. The team was back in action on national TV against a team in the Minnesota Lynx that has gotten better over time and have been a pleasant surprise thus far. As the first game of a jam packed holiday schedule, there was a lot of excitement. Unfortunately for Liberty fans, they didn’t have much to cheer for.

Final score: Lynx 84, Liberty 67.

The big number of the day was 18. That was how many turnovers the seafoam had on the afternoon. A lot of them came from miscommunication and mistakes that they simple should never make

“Some of the turnovers, I wasn’t quite sure why we were trying to pass the ball in there,” Sandy Brondello said in postgame. “We just to have a little more discipline. Something doesn’t work, we have to know what the next action is and be better at that.”

Something to keep an eye on for the Liberty is their turnover rate. Granted it’s still early, but they’ve turned the ball on 20.7% of their possessions, fourth highest mark in the WNBA so far. That combined with their poor 3-point shooting (ninth in the 12-team W) has made things a lot harder for them on offense so far.

Despite their struggles, you could see the vision when things are going well

Brondello has talked about paint to great, and it’s something the team needs to get better at. Of Breanna Stewart’s eight field goals (game high 20 points), four of them were within seven feet. Finding those easier shots and making the most out of every possession will help them get back on track.

A bright spot

The bench unit is still a work in progress, but we got to see one of the reserves make a name for themselves today. Liberty rookie Leonie Fiebich played a season high 19 minutes and rewarded Brondello’s faith in her with a career high 11 points and three three pointers. Leo was instrumental in the Liberty’s second quarter barrage that made the game close at halftime:

“For me, it’s always fun to be on the floor, to be around my teammates,” Fiebich said after the game. “I love to cut, I love to shoot the ball, and they put me in a good spot today and it certainly helped that the shots go in. And I will just continue to fill gaps, whatever the team needs and be tough on defense.”

Brondello added: “It was great to see Leo come out and be aggressive, make some shots. She’s versatile. We think she’s gonna keep getting better and better and have a great WNBA career. She’s a great shooter. She’s a great defender. She moves well. She does all the little things well. It was nice for her to see the ball go in and we just want her to be who she is and be confident in what she does well, and she showed that tonight.”

The Liberty bench has a lot of good players on it. As the season progresses and set rotations are developed, Fiebich’s versatility will help her stand out and give the team a new dimension to work with.

Milestone Watch

• With her rebound at 2:58 of the third quarter, Breanna Stewart became the fifth-fastest player in WNBA history to reach 2000 rebounds (229 games). Stewart finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds for her league-high fourth double-double of the 2024 season.
• Leonie Fiebich set a new career high for points with two three-pointers in the second quarter of today’s game. Fiebich finished with 11 points on 60% (3-of-5) shooting from beyond the arc.
• Sabrina Ionescu posted 13 points and added two three-pointers to extend her streak of regular season games with at least one made 3-pointer to 31, which is the longest active streak in the WNBA.

Looking back, looking forward

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis by police officer Derek Chauvin. Floyd’s murder led to protests in Minnesota, New York, and around the world. The killing led to increased conversations about police conduct, safety for communities, etc. at home and abroad. In 2020, the WNBA were in the wubble and dedicated that season to social justice. Sandy Brondello was in the wubble in 2020, and in pregame was asked by Jackie Powell of The Next to reflect on this moment in history and how it impacted the WNBA that we know today in 2024:

“I’d say massively. I was in the bubble and the stance that the players took, the social platforms that they have, were so strong. It shows that the players are more than just basketball players. They can force [society] to make changes. I know Minnesota has done that in the past with some of the initiatives there. [The players] were standing up for what they believe in. [Floyd’s murder] was a sad day, it was a sad for everyone.

The WNBA players now are making a stand [addressing] social injustices around the world, they’re standing up for that and using their voices.”

In the arena, the Lynx held a moment of silence before the game and had a special message

As we continue to push for more accountability, transparency, and better treatment from law enforcement, it helps that athletes are using their platforms to call for change.

Next up

The Libs get some much needed days off and will be back to work on May 29 vs. the new look Phoenix Mercury. Tip off at the ‘clays will be at 7:00 p.m. ET.

A hot start by the Loons made it seem as though Saturday night’s results would end with the Loons taking 3 points off Colorado. But in the end, a stunning second half from the Rapids would wash away a 3-1 halftime advantage and leave MNUFC with a somewhat disappointing 3-3 draw against their Western Conference foes. The standout of the Loons’ strong showing in the first half had to be Sang Bin Jeong, as the attacker’s speed would kill the Colorado defensive third from the jump. The first of a 2-score evening would come in the 8th minute off a beauty of a pass from Robin Lod. But, this is a much-improved Rapids squad from the 2023 version. There would be a quick rebuttal from the home team with young attacker Kevin Cabral’s score soon after in the 18th minute to even things up. 1-1.

Tani Time would strike in the 24th minute, with Oluwaseyi pouncing on the rebound from an initial shot by Joseph Rosales, which the striker would put in the back of the Rapids net…only to see the flag raise for an offsides call. VAR would prove the score from Tani was legitimate. 2-1, COYL. This would be followed by the second Sang Bin strike of the evening, when he would hit the jets and get a step on the Colorado defense to beat newly-acquired Rapids keeper Zack Steffen, and cap off an exciting first 45. 3-1, Minnesota.

The match, however, was still well within the reach of a Rapids’ attack that presented the MNUFC defense with some difficulties in the second half. And, those difficulties would swiftly give the Rapids some life early in the second forty five, as they would see their attacking pressure pay off in the 62nd minute when a back-post header from Rafael Navarro would bring Colorado one step closer. The next shoe would drop when DJ Taylor’s tackle earned the yellow in the box to set up the Rapids’ Navarro for the penalty kick in the 69th minute. But, Dayne St. Clair would deny the striker with a brilliant save to keep the Loons clinging to their one-goal advantage.

The joy of the save would quickly be dashed away again by Colorado’s Kevin Cabral just minutes later, when his header deflected off the gloves of St. Clair and into the net to bring the Rapids all the way back to even, 3-3.

It would be a back and forth between the teams the rest of the way, with Colorado creating several dangerous opportunities while the Loons were able to nearly steal back the W when Teemu Pukki’s baseline shot in the 87th minute hit the post and deflected away harmlessly. Ultimately, the Loons will be able to at least take at least 1 point in the standings, but it will still feel like a missed opportunity after such a hot first half. But, we’ll have to lick our wounds quickly with LAFC awaiting the boys for a match Wednesday night in Los Angeles.

MINNETONKA, Minn. — For many Minnesotans, Memorial Day weekend marks the official start of boating season.

At Lake Minnetonka, first responders are preparing for crowds of thousands to hit the water.

This week, however, the U.S. Coast Guard is emphasizing the importance of water safety, sharing data showing the prevalence of accidents and injuries while boating.

In 2022, the USCG says, 636 people died nationally in boating accidents – and another 2,222 people were injured. Moreover, boating accidents caused $63 million dollars in property damage.

“It’s a lot of people’s first time out on a lake — they might not know how to ride a boat as well — driving, could be a little more careless, not aware of the dangers as much,” said Brent Anderson, a paramedic with Hennepin Healthcare who spent Saturday riding along with Hennepin County Sheriff’s Water Crews on Lake Minnetonka.

Anderson says boaters early in the season are still at risk for hypothermia – even if outdoor temperatures are hot.

“If you get hypothermia, you’re not thinking clearly. You could think you’re warm. You’re just not functioning properly -you’ve got to be careful with it,” Anderson said. 

New research from the Centers for Disease Control also reveals a startling rise in the number of drownings across America since the pandemic. Between 2020 and 2022, 4,500 people drowned each year in the U.S., which is roughly 500 more drowning deaths each year compared to 2019. 

It’s also the leading cause of death among children ages 1-4, and drowning increased by 28% in that age group in 2022 compared to 2019.

“CDC’s drowning prevention experts collected high-quality drowning data to better understand how we can protect people in communities across the United States,” said Debra Houry, the CDC’s Chief Medical Officer. Understanding the barriers people face to accessing basic swimming and water safety skills training can help us better understand how to address those barriers, decrease drowning rates, and save lives.”

More than a third of Black adults reported not knowing how to swim compared to 15% of all adults, and 72% of Hispanic adults reported never taking a swimming lesson, according to CDC data.

In Minneapolis, the Park Board is offering swim lessons for kids ages 3-17 at five different locations starting June 17. There are scholarships available to help improve access and affordability.