There are certain games you use as a measuring stick for yourself. The opponent on the other side is the best of the best and the team you’re chasing. If you do well against that opponent, it validates everything you’ve been doing and boost your confidence in the future. For the New York Liberty, Saturday’s game could be the start of something special.
On Saturday, the Libs faced the Las Vegas Aces for the first time since… ya know. The seafoam brought their seven-game winning streak into this one and left with it intact with a terrific 90-82 victory. New York is now 12-2 on the WNBA season, in first place headed into the Commissioner’s Cup, half game out of first in the East.
The opponent tonight is looking to make a push for the postseason. The Phoenix Mercury made plenty of improvements in the offseason and are gearing up for a postseason push. They helped their cause by beating the Seattle Storm on Sunday afternoon. Phoenix is now 7-7 on the season.
Where to follow the game
CBS Sports Network is the place to be. Late night affair so we getting the party started at 10:00 p.m. ET.
Injuries
No Courtney Vandersloot or Nyara Sabally.
All clear for the Mercury
The game
The Liberty won the first meeting.
Aside from the WNBA consequences, fans will get a real preview of the Paris Olympics women’s basketball competition tonight in the desert.
First we’ve got a Team USA meet up! The game will feature five members of the 12-member Team USA, three on the Mercury — Diana Taurasi, Brittney Greiner and Kaleah Copper — and two on ,the Liberty, Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu. In addition, there’ll be other Olympians on hand. two Liberty roster members, Leonie Freibich and Natally Sabally will compete for Germany in July while Becca Allen former Liberty and current Mercury forward will rep Australia … where she’ll be coached by Sandy Brondello, the Liberty head coach. You know that line that you need a score card? What really matters is this: The United States of America looks for its eighth straight gold medal in the City of Light.
For the Liberty, their work against Kahleah Copper will be of the utmost importance. The Libs were able to hold her to 7-of-19 shooting in the first meeting as they threw a variety of defenders at the former Finals MVP. Her fellow Rutgers alum, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, will get the bulk of the assignment here. Laney-Hamilton has been everywhere on defense and will try to keep Copper from getting to the rim. As we saw on Saturday, the Liberty’s length on defense will clog up the lanes for Phoenix and push them into tough shot attempts.
If the game is close late, Diana Taurasi will look to take over. Even on nights when her shot is non-existent, all it takes is one basket for Taurasi to get going. In this spaced out offense, DT can take as many threes as she sees fit. Her experience in close games helps this Phoenix squad and ensures that Nate Tibbets has A+ options to work with.
On Sunday, the Mercury deployed our old friend Rebecca Allen on Skylar Diggins-Smith. I’m wondering if they place Bec on Sabrina Ionescu this evening. Ionescu has made it a point to get to the basket and force pressure all over the court. Allen missed the first game, so it’ll be interesting to see how the Liberty work to reduce her impact.
Player to watch: Brittney Griner
It’s great to see BG back and playing like a star. Griner is recently returning to the hardwood after an early season foot injury cost her all of May. BG returned on June 7 and has been fantastic ever since. In four games, Griner is averaging 22 points and eight rebounds a night. When she gets the ball near the rim, it’s game over as she has the perfect array of footwork, touch, and skills in the post
It’s been a welcome return back for BG, and she was named Western Conference Player of the Week!
It takes a total team effort to slow her down, and we’ll see how the Liberty do.
That starts with Jonquel Jones, who will look to follow up one of the best games of her career. JJ was magnificent as she scored a career high 34 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Jones has been the centerpiece of the seafoam this season, and we’ll see if she can draw BG away from the rim on offense. On defense, JJ and Breanna Stewart will try to push BG a bit further away from the basket and hopefully into midrange jumper. Granted, Griner can make those, but you’d rather that, not her drawing free throws when she’s at the basket.
From the Vault
Always a good time to big up DT and Cappie Pondexter
More reading: Arizona Sports, Go PHNX, Swish Appeal, The Strickland, The Local W, New York Daily News, New York Post, The Athletic. Fansided, Just Women’s Sports, SI All Knicks, Winsidr, Her Hoop Stats, CBS Sports, and The Next
Gregory Daniels is your guide to the latest trends, viral sensations, and internet phenomena. With a finger on the pulse of digital culture, he explores what’s trending across social media and pop culture. Gregory enjoys staying ahead of the curve and sharing emerging trends with his readers.
