Put on a show for the home folks. It was hot as hell in New York City this weekend, and the New York Liberty heated up the Barclays Center just fine. They faced the Los Angeles Sparks on the back half of a two-game mini-series, and had Brooklyn jumping. The Libs used an overwhelming third quarter to put on a dazzling display to give the fans plenty to remember as they cruised to another win. The Liberty are now 14-3 on the WNBA season.
The opponent tonight has fallen on some hard times. The Atlanta Dream had a goal of being a top four team in the WNBA this season. However, it has not gone to plan. They hosted the Indiana Fever on Friday night at a sold out State Farm arena. They outshot the Fever 35-11 from the free throw line. However, it wasn’t nearly enough as ATL lost 91-79.
Where to follow the game
MY9 on TV. YES App, Liberty Live, League Pass, and Fox Local on streaming. Brunch and basketball so the party’s getting started after 3:00 p.m. ET.
Injuries
No Nyara Sabally. Courtney Vandersloot and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton were questionable yesterday, but didn’t suit up. We’ll see if they play today.
On Wednesday night, Rhyne Howard left the game against the Minnesota Lynx with a left ankle injury. On Friday, the team announced that she will be out indefinitely. Jordin Canada had missed the entire season with a hand injury. She is back and will be making her season and Atlanta Dream debut today.
The game
The Liberty won the first meeting.
With the Cup Final at UBS Arena in Long Island on Tuesday night, the Liberty are offering bus transportation for fans to travel to the game. The buses depart for UBS at 4 PM, and fans interested can sign up here.
Losing always up the pressure. When the losses pile up and the style of play leaves something to be desired, everyone is stuck trying to figure out how to get things back on track. During that process, you search for answers and hope you can find the right potion to reverse your ills. That’s where Dream coach Tanisha Wright is as she tries to figure out what’s gone wrong with her ballclub. After Friday’s loss, she got asked about the team’s outlook and said:
“I promise you if I had answers, I’d tell you. I don’t have the answers. I know it’s my job to figure out how to get this team to play together.”
Pressure can define you. Now that the Dream are under pressure, we’ll see how they respond.
The center matchup should be a fun. We’ve gotten to see more on Jonquel Jones’s all around talents this season, and this stat from Her Hoop Stats piqued my interest
When your center can stretch the floor, lock down the paint on both sides, and create open looks for shooters all over the court, you’ve got yourself something special brewing. TIna Charles will be tasked with battling Jones. Charles only played 19 minutes in the first matchup as Wright felt as if her bench bigs gave more energy and effort. Even at this stage in her career, Charles still commnads so much attention when she’s on the court. For the Liberty, they’ll see if they can draw her away from the rim and make her defend in space.
Without Howard, more has fallen on Allisha Gray’s shoulders. So far, it’s been tough sledding for the former All Star. Over the past two games, Gray is shooting just 5-of-33 from the field over the past two games as she’s struggled to find her shot. Gray is at the top of the scouting report, and she’ll have her hands full dealing with the rangy perimeter defenders on the Liberty. Kayla Thornton figures to get the first crack at her, and KT is coming off of one of the best games of her career. Thornton knocked down 6-of-7 from 3=point range, and what really stands out is the confidence she has in every shot. There’s no hesitation, and as soon as she sees an opening, she’s attacking immediately. It’s something the coaching staff sees in her and they encourage her to be as aggressive as she needs to be. When you have amazing players up and down the starting five, having a player like Thornton can amplify everyone’s strengths.
Player to watch: Jordin Canada
Returning from injury is tough. Returning from injury and making your debut with a new team is tougher. Returning from injury, making your debut with a new team, AND coming back when the team is in freefall is the toughest challenge imaginable. That’s where Canada finds herself as she suits up for the Dream for the first time. There’s no word on what her workload will be. Over at The Next, Hunter Cruse wrote about what Canada brings to the team and a potential pitfall awaiting her:
“Canada, whom Atlanta acquired from Los Angeles in a sign-and-trade in February, will have an immediate impact. The 5’6 guard is one of the quickest players in the WNBA and was the league’s highest-volume PnR operator (14 possessions per game) in 2023.”
Will Atlanta use more ball screens when Canada returns? That should be a priority. Beyond that, Atlanta’s two-big lineups could pose difficulties for Canada as a finisher if she’s consistently trying to score at the rim through crowds.”
For Atlanta, they have to get things back in order right now. Having Canada back is a first step in that direction.
Sabrina Ionescu will look to put another All Star performance. Sab had her customary excellent game yesterday as her 24/6/9 kept things moving in the backcourt. The great thing about Sabrina’s game is she’s very in control and doesn’t feel sped up. She’s able to handle traps, is a wonderful decision maker, and is a locomotive heading downhill. The Dream allow teams to shoot 24 3-pointers a game this season, third most in the league. That’s trouble for them and a big ole green light for Ionescu when she’s open from deep.
From the Vault
On Wednesday, Kendrick Lamar held forum at the Great Western Kia Forum and put on a show for the ages. Jay Rock hit the stage with him and went through some of their all time bangers. We’re going to pull up a track that they didn’t do, but is still a heater all the same
More reading: Peachtree Hoops, ATEEJL Dream, 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
