Liberty crushed by Caitlin Clark, Fever after unraveling in pitiful third quarter

Liberty crushed by Caitlin Clark, Fever after unraveling in pitiful third quarter

INDIANAPOLIS — The Liberty have no excuse.

They hadn’t played a game since Sunday after travel disruption caused Thursday’s game in Dallas to be moved to Monday.

They had extra practice, extra time to prepare and more meetings to get everyone on the same page.

Breanna Stewart thought they were ready.

Roughly 12 hours later, the Liberty showed they were not.

Earlier in the day, Stewart told The Post that Saturday night’s game against the Fever was more about proving to themselves that the work is paying off than proving to others that the Liberty are a serious contender.

New York’s pride was on the line.

But things unraveled for the Liberty and they never recovered, falling to the fatigued Fever 108-88.

Breanna Stewart attempts a shot during the Liberty’s 108-88 loss to the Fever on July 18, 2026 in Indianapolis. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Embarrassing.

Disappointing.

Frustrating.

Demoralizing.

Pick your adjective.

The Liberty led by 13 points with 2:55 left in the first half.

Then, Lexi Hull hit a 3 in transition.

Pauline Astier got called for a flagrant foul, sending Kelsey Mitchell to the line for three free throws, and Tyasha Harris drained a 3.

That six-point swing made it a four-point game.

The Liberty led by four at halftime.

Caitlin Clark dribbles the ball during the Liberty’s July 18 loss to the Fever. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Fever — playing on the second night of a back-to-back with Caitlin Clark on a minutes restriction — outscored them 30-12 in the third quarter.

Mitchell had 14 of her 33 points in the period.

It was the same story, different game.

The Liberty looked out of sorts.

The chemistry seems off.

Marine Johannes defends against Aliyah Boston during the Liberty’s July 18 loss to the Fever. Imagn Images

They’re asking too much of Stewart.

It was never going to be sustainable.

New York committed 17 turnovers resulting in 30 Fever points.

Indiana converted its eight offensive boards into 18 points.

The Fever looked every bit like a team playing for the second time in 24 hours.

And yet, the Liberty — who, again, hadn’t played in six days — couldn’t take advantage.

New York’s third-quarter showing was pitiful.

The Liberty committed eight turnovers and eight fouls.

They shot 5-for-13 from the field.

Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart defend Aliyah Boston during the Liberty’s July 18 loss to the Fever. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Liberty have taken some injury hits.

They’re without Leonie Fiebich, who has a left foot injury, and Satou Sabally, who missed her seventh game because of concussion protocol.

Still no excuse for what transpired Saturday.

The Liberty started the game strong.

They were raining 3s.

Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones and Stewart each drained one.

Marine Johannes went a splashy 4-for-5 from deep in the first quarter.

The Liberty shot 7-for-9 from deep, but 2-for-10 inside the arc.

New York went 6-for-23 from beyond the arc in the final three quarters.

The Liberty’s bench was expected to be the deepest in the league.

But the Fever’s reserves outscored New York’s 31-14.

It’s unclear why Betnijah Laney-Hamilton and Rebekah Gardner never left the Liberty’s bench considering how poorly things were going.

New York needed something, anything, and never got it outside of Stewart.

Clark said she might have to play more than her minutes restriction if the game called for it.

Ultimately, it didn’t because the Fever sealed the Liberty’s fate in the third quarter.

The Liberty have lost eight of their last 10 games and are 13-12 with two games left before the All-Star break.

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