NEW YORK, N.Y. – June 8, 2015 – The New York Liberty open up an early season four-game home stand when it welcomes the Indiana Fever to Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
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ALL-TIME: Indiana leads, 35-21
LAST SEASON: Indiana, 3-1
LAST MEETING: August 17, 2014 (at New York) – New York 73, Indiana 61
After getting off to an impressive start with an 82-73 win over Atlanta in the season opener, New York saw a road game get away on Saturday, falling 67-62 in Washington.
Indiana is looking for its first win, falling to Chicago, 95-72 on opening night, and at home to Minnesota, 78-69, on Saturday. The Fever currently rank 10th in the league in scoring (70.5) and opponent scoring (86.5).
CHARLES OFF TO A FAST START
All-Star Tina Charles has seen her 2015 season get off to a great start as she has led the Liberty in scoring in each of the first two games of the season. After posting a double-double in the opener against Atlanta, she followed that up by leading all scorer’s with 17 points at Washington on Saturday night. Her 10.0 rebounds per game rank third overall and 17.5 ppg rank 12th in the WNBA early in the season.
LIVING UP TO HER REPUTATION
Rookie Kiah Stokes came into the league known as an outstanding shot blocker, and early in her pro career she is living up to that reputation. She swatted three shots in the season opener against Atlanta and recorded two more blocks at Washington. She is currently tied for second in the league with 2.5 blocks per game.
LAIMBEER TO COACH 300TH GAME
Tuesday night’s contest against Indiana will be the 200th-career WNBA game as head coach for Bill Laimbeer. Laimbeer, who led the Detroit Shock to three WNBA championships (2003, 2006, 2008), has been with the Liberty for the past three seasons. In his 11th WNBA season, he has an overall record of 164-135 (.549).
PROTECTING THE BASKETBALL
New York was hindered by 18 team turnovers in its loss at Washington on Saturday night, resulting in 11 fewer shot attempts, which loomed large in a five-point loss. It is early in the season, but the Liberty is averaging 14.0 turnovers per game, which leads the league. In the season opener against Atlanta, New York forced the Dream to give the ball away 19 times, and won points off turnovers 21-15, key in an eight-point win.