After defeating the Atlanta Dream on Friday night in Atlanta, the New York Liberty now needs one more victory to qualify for the playoffs. New York is ranked seventh going into the day, and a victory would guarantee them a spot in the dance.
So that we can proceed to the following portions, The Dream is the adversary once more.
Injuries
Everything is good for Liberty. on the season’s final day. the initial time.
Tiffany Hayes departed for Turkey to join the Azerbaijani 3×3 team.
She is disqualified from this contest regardless of whether she told the Dream about this arrangement, according to contradicting accounts. Due to a hip injury, AD cannot work. Kristy Wallace is in and out of COVID protocols. With a knee ailment, Nia Coffey cannot perform.
The match
The Liberty have been sending the Barclays Center crowd some love during Fan Appreciation Weekend. On Saturday, they organized a skills camp for children in the practice court and a yoga session for spectators on the main court. Season ticket holders will be invited to a meet & greet following the game. A victory would be the icing on top of an entertaining, engaging weekend.
They need to win both games in order to not be dependent on anyone else, Sandy Brondello said in the pregame speech on Friday night. She wants the group to enjoy both the game and the trip here.
Also highlighted by Brondello was her desire for the team to practice better foul discipline. Atlanta took nine free throws in the fourth quarter as they rallied back, winning the free throw competition by a margin of six. The Liberty will be able to break out on the run and score baskets in transition if they can keep the Dream away from the foul line and finish possessions.
This afternoon, Sabrina Ionescu will try to put on another outstanding all-around performance.
It was sufficient to have 15 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 50% field goal shooting, and just 1 turnover. Her defense, though, was just as good, if not superior. Sandy Brondello praised Sab for her efforts on that front and for not letting many opponents get past her. She put a lot of effort into defending Erica Wheeler, making life difficult for the 2019 All Star. If the Liberty are to triumph, she will have to repeat it.
A recognized veteran and former University of Rutgers, Liberty athlete could be done playing. Kia Vaughn, the star of Dream big, made a strong suggestion earlier in the summer that this might be her final season after a 14-year career. Vaughn served on the Liberty for two tours and has gained respect all over the W. In an interview with Gabriella Lewis of The Next, Sandy Brondello discussed a previous player and stated:
“One of my favorite players, Kia Vaughn, because she’s the ultimate professional. She really stepped up and was a great leader and just a really good person and very selfless. She fits into any kind of system and does what she needs to do.”
You need experienced members of the team who will lead by example for future generations. Salute.
In a post-game chat with Jackie Powell of The Next, Ionescu recently elaborated on the themes of sisterhood and accountability that The Liberty have frequently discussed:
“We’ve all accepted holding each other to that standard because it’s for the betterment of the team and so I think once everyone is on that same page, and we’ve all gotten to that same page of we’re holding each other to that high standard because we all want to win and we all have a common goal. It helps you stay connected through times when the score is 24-8 in the first quarter and we’re out there sleepwalking. And we stayed together and we found a way to win.”
Leadership produces achievement and positive energy.
On Friday night, Crystal Dangerfield led the squad in minutes played, and they will need her once more this afternoon. On Friday night, CD was the player with the most points, assists, and playing time. She was able to match up with Aari McDonald thanks to her speed, agility, and cunning on defense. When Dangerfield was covering her as her main defender, McDonald had a 0-9 shooting performance.
You need this, and Dangerfield’s participation will be crucial if the Liberty are to advance to the following week.
The inside will be where this game is won. This season, Atlanta has been the W’s third-best rebounding team, yet the Liberty won that game on Friday by a single rebound. In the paint, they outscored Atlanta by eight points as well. The Liberty perform best when they attack the basket, as was evident on Friday, trading decent shots for terrific ones.
