'Heartbreak in the Garden': How New York Liberty's Collapse in Game 1 Will Haunt Them Forever

Breanna Stewart and the New York Liberty were left thinking about what could have been on a night that will be etched in their memories forever. The Liberty had an opportunity to draw first blood in the WNBA Finals but let it slip through their fingers.

The Liberty had an 18-point lead in the first half and were on fire, with Breanna Stewart leading the charge. It seemed like the game was all but over, with the Liberty dominating every single aspect of the game.

Fast forward to the final minutes of regulation, and the Liberty still had a comfortable 11-point lead with 3:23 left on the clock. The crowd was on their feet, and the Liberty bench was filled with excitement and anticipation.

But, in a shocking turn of events, the Liberty's opponents staged a monumental comeback, outscoring them 15-2 in the final minutes of regulation to send the game to overtime.

The Liberty were stunned and shell-shocked, unable to comprehend the collapse that had just occurred. Despite a valiant effort in overtime, the Liberty fell short, losing the game in what can only be described as one of the greatest comebacks in WNBA history.

Breanna Stewart was left visibly shaken, her emotions on full display as she tried to come to terms with what had just happened. She had done everything in her power to try and win the game but, in the end, it just wasn't enough.

The loss is a bitter pill to swallow for the Liberty, who had come so close to securing a crucial win in the WNBA Finals. The collapse will haunt them for the rest of the series and may have a lasting impact on their season.

One thing is for certain: the Liberty will have to regroup and recharge quickly as they look ahead to Game 2. They will need to put the memories of this heartbreaking loss behind them and come out with a renewed sense of determination if they are to have any chance of winning the WNBA championship.

For now, the Liberty will be left to think about what could have been. They had the game in the bag but let it slip away in the most dramatic of circumstances. They can only hope that this loss will serve as a valuable learning lesson in their pursuit of WNBA glory.