Weatherspoon Keys Liberty Attack

Teresa Weatherspoon refused to acknowledge injuries. There was a game to win Tuesday night in New York, where the Liberty was trying to clinch the Eastern Conference title for the second season in a row.

Weatherspoon had seven assists and six steals, and she led a swarming defense that shut down Cleveland, 57-44, before 18,663.

Tari Phillips’ 14 points and 11 rebounds led the Liberty (20-11) statistically, but Weatherspoon’s leadership was more emotional in New York’s 13th victory in 15 games.

“She’s a leader everybody would follow,” Sue Wicks said. “Tonight she came in with a slight concussion and a broken nose . . . and she’s going through traffic. If you can’t play hard when she’s playing like that, you don’t deserve to be on the court.”

Crystal Robinson and Becky Hammon added 11 points apiece for the Liberty, who extended a franchise record with their 10th consecutive home victory.

Cleveland fell to 17-14.

The swarming Liberty defense held the Rockers to 29.2% shooting in the first half.

“I think we are very confident right now,” Weatherspoon said. “When you look back to the first 16 games of the season, you looked at a Liberty team that wasn’t a confident basketball team. Now, you see a team that wants to win. No matter what we have to do to get it done. That’s the key to our success right now.”

New York will play either Washington or Detroit in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs beginning Saturday.

Minnesota 76, Charlotte 67--Betty Lennox scored 27 points and Katie Smith added 23 for the Lynx, which won before 8,068 at Charlotte.

Lennox scored 18 points in the first half, and Smith took over in the second half with 19.

Minnesota (15-16) led, 64-52, midway through the second half, but Charlotte (8-23) rallied to get within 67-66 on Angie Braziel’s two free throws with 2:34 remaining.

Kate Paye ended the rally with a long three-pointer.

The game was delayed 23 minutes during the first half because of a power outage at Charlotte Coliseum.

Notes

The WNBA fined New York Liberty Coach Richie Adubato $1,000 for criticizing officials after a game and Washington Mystic forward Tausha Mills for an elbowing incident.