After two spankings suffered in Las Vegas on October 8 and 11 (82-99; 76-104), Marine Johannès and the New York Liberty regained hope. They won their first victory in the series against the reigning champions on Sunday in Brooklyn, thanks in particular to their interior player Jonquel Jones (27 points, 8 rebounds). “We had a lot of adjustments to make in defense, especially in transition,” predicted the French guard, contacted by telephone before the match. She then only scored one point in 14 minutes.
This victory validates an already successful season for the Liberty, which failed in the first round of the play-offs last season against Chicago (1-2). “We had a lot of ups and downs, it wasn’t easy because we haven’t been playing together for a long time,” explains Johannès, referring to the 5-star recruitment made by his franchise in the offseason, with notably the arrival of Breanna Stewart (29 years old), elected MVP of the season. “We are where we wanted to be, we can still say that it’s only positive,” continues the Frenchwoman.
Personally, Johannès saw his statistical averages and playing time plummet this season, going from 10 points in 25.5 minutes to 7.1 in 18.9 minutes. She was used even less in the play-offs (11.6 minutes), before finding more playing time during the series against Las Vegas. “Sometimes we won’t necessarily need you. If Sabrina (Ionescu) scores 30 points, she will be on the court. But I totally accept my role. »
“I will be present at the Olympics if they decide to select me”
Used off the bench, Johannès particularly shone during the first round of the final, scoring 14 points including 4 award-winning shots in the first half, including one on one leg praised by LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) on social networks . “It was really cool to read that (laughs). I have a lot of friends in France who wrote to me, and everyone was happy for me that something like this came out. »
Left out of the Euro with the Blues last summer, and absent from federal communications despite her participation in the WNBA final, Johannès did not wish to comment on the subject. On the other hand, she confirmed her intention to reunite with the French team with whom she aims to play the Olympic Games next summer: “I confirm that I said that I will be there on the first day of preparation (around the 6 June 2024). And therefore that I will be present at the Olympics if they decide to select me. »
2023-10-15 22:05:48
#Marine #Johannès #York #Liberty #alive #WNBA #final
