NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� Betnijah Laney-Hamilton has been working her way back for the last six weeks since she returned from having surgery on her right knee.
The Liberty guard looked like her pre-surgery self Sunday, scoring 20 points in New York's over Minnesota that evened the WNBA Finals series 1-1.
鈥淚 think everyone has seen her. She鈥檚 been struggling but she鈥檚 been feeling good these last few days, can tell you that much,鈥� Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said. 鈥淲e just knew it was a bit of time. We鈥檝e given her so much rest here and she was ready to go. She puts the work in. Like I said, she鈥檚 tough. We talked about the grittiness that she gives us.鈥�
Laney-Hamilton, who and returned to the lineup on Aug. 26, said she felt good after hitting her first drive of the game. The former Rutgers star said that she had 鈥渁 little bit of everything鈥� done to try and get her knee right.
鈥淚 think it gives me a little bit of momentum going through the series,鈥� said Laney-Hamilton, who had five points in . 鈥淚鈥檝e been struggling physically and mentally as I鈥檝e been going through everything. ... Finally starting to feel good and capitalize on it.鈥�
Laney-Hamilton, who had her college coach C. Vivian Stringer in attendance, brings so much to New York on both ends of the court when she鈥檚 healthy.
鈥淚 think we missed her grittiness and just she鈥檚 the ultimate competitor. She takes pride 鈥� she used to always guard the best player and obviously now we have Leo, too, that makes us really a versatile defensive team. But you also miss her play-making,鈥� Brondello said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 something we talked about this year. We wanted to make sure she could play-make more and it was hard for her to play-make when she was hobbling around with the knee. We need her to get confidence first, and then to go out and play.鈥�
When Minnesota got within 68-66 with 3:40 left in the fourth quarter, Laney-Hamilton started the game-closing 12-0 run with a that gave New York a cushion it wouldn't relinquish.
鈥淪he鈥檚 just impactful because she plays at both ends of the floor, and plays hard, and she鈥檚 a winner," Brondello said. "So happy that she got the success tonight and keep building on it.鈥�
Laney-Hamilton also got a chance to meet Jennifer Hudson after the game. The singer wanted a chance to connect with her. The two chatted for a few minutes after the win.
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AP WNBA:
Doug Feinberg, The Associated Press
