LIBERTY 64 | MYSTICS 80
(0-1) (1-0)
Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | FINAL | |
LIBERTY | 12 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 64 |
MYSTICS | 17 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 80 |
GAME LEADERS | NEW YORK | WASHINGTON |
POINTS | Ionescu (18) | Cloud, Atkins (14) |
REBOUNDS | Stewart (12) | Sykes (9) |
ASSISTS | Vandersloot (6) | Cloud (6) |
TEAM NOTABLES
In Friday’s season opener, the New York Liberty (0-1) fell to the Washington Mystics (1-0), 80-64, in the first game of their 2023 four-game season series.
At Entertainment & Sports Arena, the Liberty finished on 34.3% (23-67) shooting from the field, 22.6% (7-31) from three, and 78.6% (11-14) at the free throw line.
Up Next: The New York Liberty will host the Indiana Fever on Sunday, May 21, at 1 p.m. ET in their 2023 home opener.
KEY RUNS
Q1: Washington went on a 10-2 run from the 7:11 mark of the first to the 1:57 mark of the quarter.
Q2: Washington extended their run to 24-9 through the 5:51 mark of the second quarter.
Q3: There were no significant runs in the third quarter.
Q4: Washington opened the fourth on a 9-1 run through the 7:41 mark of the quarter. New York went on a 17-7 run from the 7:31 mark of the fourth to the 2:30 mark of the quarter.
PLAYER NOTABLES
New York finished with three double-digit scorers in tonight’s game (Ionescu, Stewart, Laney).
Sabrina Ionescu scored ten first-half points, ultimately finishing with a game-high 18 points, eight rebounds, and two assists.
Highlighted by six first-quarter rebounds, Breanna Stewart recorded a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double. Her Liberty debut also featured three assists and two steals, and she is now just two away from 250-career steals.
Betnijah Laney finished with 10 points, including 66.6% (2-3) from three, two rebounds, and two assists. With her two makes from deep, Laney is now two away from 100-career triples.
For Washington, Natasha Cloud finished with 14 points, a team-high six assists, and six rebounds.