When the WNBA took a month off this summer while many of its players participated in the London Olympics, the Liberty were in a sorry state. They had just dropped a 70-53 decision to the Washington Mystics, the worst team in the Eastern Conference. Their record was 6-12 and a playoff spot seemed highly unlikely.
But star Cappie Pondexter, who was two WNBA title rings from her days in Phoenix, had other plans. She reached out to her former trainer, Shawn Windle, now with the Indiana Pacers, and recommitted herself to the game.
Led by the physical guard, the Liberty has gone 8-7 in the second half of the season to clinch a playoff berth. The Liberty (14-18) play host to the Tulsa Shock (9-23) Saturday in their regular season finale, hoping to snap a two-game losing streak and enter the playoffs on a positive note.
“Once the playoffs start, records don’t exist,’’ said Pondexter, who’s averaging 20.5 points per game. “I’ve won two rings so I can honestly say this. If this team plays up to its capability, we can win the title. There’s no doubt in my mind.’’
The Liberty open the playoffs on Thursday night at Connecticut. The Sun (24-9) have the best record in the Eastern Conference and the second-best record overall.
The Liberty, a charter member of the league, never has won a WNBA title, and Pondexter has said she would love nothing more than to bring a title to New York. Her decision to develop and execute a new strength and conditioning plan with Windle was her way of insuring that goal remains alive.
“It was just a matter of me re-dedicating myself to the game,’’ Pondexter said. “I’ve always believed there’s no substitute for hard work.’’
lenn.robbins@nypost.com