Leonie Fiebich certainly didn’t look like a rookie Sunday at Barclays Center, scoring a career-high 21 points in her first career WNBA playoff appearance. Photo by Brandon Todd/New York Liberty
The New York Liberty don’t want to go to Atlanta.
They proved it by leading Game 1 from start to finish Sunday before an enthusiastic crowd of 12,115 at Downtown’s Barclays Center.
Leonie Fiebich backed up her WNBA All-Rookie Team status by pouring in a career-high 21 points on near-perfect shooting and reigning Most Valuable Player Breanna Stewart added 20 points and 11 rebounds as the Liberty began their postseason push with an 83-69 rout of the Dream.
Seeking this organization’s first-ever league championship, the Liberty (1-0) roared out to a 13-4 lead by sinking their first six shots.
By the end of the opening period, they had opened a 29-16 cushion, thanks to a 14-0 burst that All-Star guard Sabrina Ionescu capped with seven straight points.
“I thought our intensity was incredible,” noted Stewart, who won two WNBA crowns and Finals MVPs in Seattle, but is still seeking Title I in Brooklyn.
Fiebich, hardly a pure rookie considering her experience playing professionally in Germany, was installed into the starting five ahead of future Hall of Fame point guard Courtney Vandersloot.
“We made the decision (Saturday),” New York coach Sandy Brondello intimated.
“I think Leo had a great game,” she added. “We’ve raved about her contributions all season long and it’s a no-brainer, but she always stays ready regardless, start or coming off the bench. She’s always locked in.”
She certainly was in Game 1.
The 6-foot-4 sharp-shooter went 7-of-8 from the floor, including 4-of-4 from 3-point range. She also knocked down all three of her free throws and picked up a pair of steals in 25 scintillating minutes.
“I think we came out with a different mindset of being just really physical out there and set the tone,” said Fiebich, who was limited to three…
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