The New York Liberty beat the Connectticut Suns, 88-87, last night at MSG to get into the 2010 WNBA playoffs. (AP)

Madison Square Garden—The playoff picture in the Eastern Conference was not developed until the WNBA regular season concluded on Sunday. Three teams, New York Liberty, Indiana Pacers and Washington Mystics, were tied with identical records of 21-12 as the day began.
                                

The Liberty “capped off” its extremely successful regular season with an 88-87 overtime win over the Connecticut Sun at the Garden. Led by Cappy Pondexter’s game-high 31 points, the Sunday afternoon Liberty victory clinched second place in the Eastern Conference and home court advantage in the first round (Conference semi-finals) of the playoffs.

The hard-fought contest surprised some observers as the Sun had previouslawardy been eliminated from the upcoming playoffs. New York led by 11 (26-15) after the first period but were outscored by the Sun during each of the next three periods. With the score tied at 80 at the end of regulation, Pondexter again took control. She netted three of her four attempts from the floor to lead New York to a one-point victory. New York coach Anne Donovsn summed up the contribution of her star player, “It was much more of a grind than we would have preferred. But it came down to the endand in overtime Cappie was Cappie and we rode her coattails to the win.”

Pondexter, a four-time WNBA Player of the Week winner this season and a prime candidate for the league’s MVP Award, had an outstanding game. She scored a game-high 31 points, passed for a game-high six assists and stole the ball a game-high four times.

Pondexter not only puts impressive numbers on a scoresheet, but takes a leadership role in making her team a winner. In her previous four WNBA season with Phoenix, she led the Mercury to its only two WNBA Championships. She was named the MVP during the 2007 WNBA finals.

After Sunday’s win she articulately explained what being a champion means to her, “If you are not excited about getting in the postseason and a chance to win a championship. Then there is something wrong with you. This is what this is all about. Regular season, you play hard to put yourself in a position to win a championship. I’m excited to have an opportunity to win a third one.”

The Liberty appeared out of playoff contention until a late season surge. The Liberty won a team record of 10 consecutive games until losing by one point, 75-74, to Washington on Friday night. New York won 11 of its final 12 contests and was 15-3 in the second half of the season. The very strong second half of the 2010 campaign raised the Liberty to a record high 22 season wins.

The team set a single game franchise mark with 107 against Phoenix on August 14. Pondexter set the game mark for individual scoring with 40 against Indiana on July 18. Not only had scoring increased in July and August, but the club also firmed up its defense.

The Liberty tied with Washington for the best won/loss mark in the Eastern Conference but finished second because of a 2-3 record against the first place finisher. The Liberty will play the third place Indiana Fever in a best of three beginning on Thursday, August 26, at MSG. The second game will be played in Indiana on Sunday, August 29. If a third game is needed, it will be held at MSG on Wednesday, September 1. Washington and Atlanta will play in the other Eastern semi-final.

Donovan spoke of the importance of the home court, “Our focus tonight was coming in and making sure we took care of home court. That was either going to be for one round or two rounds depending on what washington did. We’re happy to be in the garden.”

Pondexter wisely spoke complimentary words about the Liberty’s next opponent, “They’re [Indiana] well balanced. Tameka Catchings is a leader. They have a lot of playoff experience.”

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