Betnijah Laney-Hamilton watched the Liberty win Tuesday’s Commissioner’s Cup championship from the bench.
She celebrated with her teammates by dancing and indulging in the champagne-soaked party.
“Anytime you win a championship and are able to accomplish something, it’s a great thing, great for us, great for the community, for our fanbase, for our organization,” Laney-Hamilton said after practice Thursday. “It was something that was really special and not only was it the championship, but it was also for a great cause and so I think anytime we’re able to accomplish something like that, it’s just great all around.”
Tuesday was the second time in 10 days Laney-Hamilton suited up for the game only to sit on the bench.
Afterwards, coach Chris DeMarco said Laney-Hamilton was “healthy,” but explained her benching as the result of not knowing what the Aces were going to do with A’ja Wilson out with a foot injury.
“We tightened up the rotation a little bit tonight,” DeMarco said after the 93-85 win. “But she’s still gonna be a part of this [group] going forward.”
Asked Thursday if she had discussed DeMarco’s rotation plans ahead of the championship game, Laney-Hamilton subtly shook her head.
Laney-Hamilton is in the midst of one of the her most challenging seasons of her career. She missed all of last season rehabbing from knee surgery. She entered this year the healthiest she had been for quite some time.
But this season hasn’t been easy. Her role has varied. She went from being a starter to coming off the bench. She missed time for personal reasons early on and then again after having an injection in her surgically repaired knee.
Before the season, Laney-Hamilton signed a one-year, $400,000 deal to return to the Liberty this season. She’s hoping to play her way into a bigger payday come next offseason.
In 14 games (five starts), she’s averaging 5.3 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists — her lowest totals marks since 2018.
Laney-Hamilton is a foundational player to the Liberty. She’s given them so much. During the 2024 WNBA Finals, she told Ros Gold-Onwude that she was playing “til the wheels fall off.”
She pushed through and helped the Liberty capture a title. Her presence and leadership were missed last season.
This year, she’s being challenged in other ways. She’s continuing, though, to find ways to show up.
After practice, Laney-Hamilton showed appreciation to her fans who continue to support her.
“Just thank you, you know,” she started to say. “Thank you for the support, thank you.”
Laney-Hamilton wanted to say more, but her emotions overcame her.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve has a chance to make history Friday.
Reeve tied Mike Thibault’s WNBA record for career coaching wins earlier this week when Minnesota Lynx beat the Dallas Wings. It was her 379th regular-season win in 17 seasons with the Lynx.
Reeve’s next victory will make her the winningest coach in WNBA history. Her next opportunity is against the Liberty, a team she knows well.
Marine Johannès missed Thursday’s practice with an illness.
“We expect her to play tomorrow” against the Lynx, DeMarco said.
