TEAM NOTABLES
On Saturday night, the New York Liberty (11-19) fell to the Dallas Wings (13-17), 77-76, in their third and final matchup of the 2021 regular season. With tonight’s win, the Wings clinched a berth in the 2021 WNBA playoffs.
In Texas, the Liberty finished on 44.8% (30-67) shooting from the field, 29.2% (7-24) from three, and 81.8% (9-11) at the free throw line.
New York recorded 39 rebounds, 22 team assists, 38 points in the paint, and capitalized on seven points off the Wings’ six turnovers. The game saw 15 lead changes and eight ties.
PLAYER NOTABLES
Four Liberty players scored in double figures in tonight’s game (Laney, Ionescu, Howard, Whitcomb).
2021 WNBA All-Star Betnijah Laney posted a team-high 19 points along with six assists and four rebounds on 53.9% (7-13) shooting. The All-WNBA candidate has now recorded double figure scoring in 26 of 30 games this season and grabbed her 500th career rebound.
Sabrina Ionescu had another all-around performance finishing with 18 points, eight rebounds, six assists. Tonight’s 18-point performance marked her 18th game scoring in double figures this season, and ninth consecutive 10+ point outing following the Olympic break.
Natasha Howard finished the contest with a 16-point, team-high 11-rebound double-double on 57.1% (8-14) shooting from the field; her third double-double of the season and third since the Olympic break. Howard also finished with a season-best four assists.
In her return to the Liberty starting lineup, the WNBA’s leading three-point shooter Sami Whitcomb knocked down four triples on 57.1% (4-7) shooting and totaled of 12 points.
Three-time Rookie of the Month honoree Michaela Onyenwere recorded six points and four rebounds off the bench, including 66.7% (2-3) shooting from the field.
Marina Mabrey scored a game-high 21 points on 41.2% (7-17) shooting from the field, including 40% (4-10) shooting from deep and a perfect 100% (3-3) from the free throw line. She also added eight rebounds and six assists off the bench.
Arike Ogunbowale finished with 13 points on 23.8% (5-21) shooting from the field.