By Justin “Say Say” Rivers

Betnijah Laney and the New York Liberty (11-14, 3^rd in Eastern Conference) will look to snatch a 2-0 advantage in their three-game season series against Brittney Griner and the Phoenix Mercury (13-10, 4^th in Western Conference) as they continue their 25th Anniversary Week Celebration.

Last game, the Liberty faced off against the Sparks in their second and final matchup of the 2021 regular season. As a team, New York went 16-for-35 from deep, and their 16 made three-pointers set a new franchise record, surpassing their previous record set on July 5, 2021 against the Dallas Wings.

In total, the team finished with five double-digit scorers for just the fourth time this season: Natasha Howard (17), Sami Whitcomb (17), Rebecca Allen (15), Sabrina Ionescu (12), and Betnijah Laney (10).

Fresh off a double-double performance against the Storm, Natasha Howard finished with a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double. Howard has scored 10+ points in all six of her games this season.

2021 All-Star Betnijah Laney overcame a slow start to score in double figures for the 22nd time this season. With her seven-assist first half, Delaware native tied her career-high for assists in a first half. Laney dished out five-plus assists for the 14^th time this season en route to a game-high nine dimes.

The team will look to capitalize off of their record-setting performance from deep and several solid individual performances against the Mercury.

ELITE COMPANY

During halftime, the New York Liberty will induct Crystal Robinson into its Ring of Honor as its seventh member.

After being selected with the sixth overall pick in the 1999 WNBA Draft out of Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Robinson spent seven seasons in New York, during which she had per game averages of 10.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and two assists and shot 38.3% from three-point range.

In her first WNBA season, Robinson’s 76 made three-pointers led the WNBA, and her 43.7% shooting from deep ranked fourth in the league. Alongside Liberty greats Teresa Weatherspoon, Sue Wicks, and Becky Hammon, Robinson helped lead the team to four-straight playoff berths and three WNBA Finals appearances.

THE SOPHOMORE & THE VET

The Phoenix Mercury are the only team in the WNBA that 2020 No. 1 overall pick Sabrina Ionescu has yet to play; however, most importantly, the matchup will mark the first time she shares the hardwood with three-time WNBA champion, nine-time WNBA All-Star, 10-time All-WNBA First Team selection, and fellow former No. 1 overall pick in 2004 Diana Taurasi.

This season, Ionescu is averaging 10.5 points, 5.8 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game and shooting 36.8% from behind the three-point arc. Plus, the 5-foot-11, second-year guard is the only player in the league averaging 10+ points, five-plus assists, and five-plus rebounds.

For the opposition, Taurasi, the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer, is averaging 15.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game in her 17th season. The 6-foot guard and 2009 MVP’s per game averages of 15.7 points and 4.5 assists would rank in the top-20 and top-10 respectively.

This will undoubtedly be a must-watch matchup during the Liberty’s two-game, home-and-home set against the Mercury.