Betnijah Laney-Hamilton benched in latest Liberty challenge since injury return

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.  Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Madeline Kenney about all things Liberty and WNBA.“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 c...