NEW YORK LIBERTY (7-24) vs. LAS VEGAS ACES (13-17)
Wednesday, August 15 • Las Vegas, NV (Mandalay Bay Events Center)
10:00 PM (ET) TV: League Pass, MSG+
The New York Liberty hung with the Los Angeles Spark until the waning minutes, ultimately falling 74-66 yesterday evening. They do not have to wait long for a chance to get back into the win column, as they face the Las Vegas Aces tonight.
QUICK HITS
Tina Charles’ 20.1 points per game rank seventh the league (as of 8/15).
Charles’ 7.2 rebounds per game are tied for ninth in the league (as of 8/15).
Charles ranks top-20 in the league in blocks per game (as of 8/15).
Kia Nurse’s ranks top-10 among rookies with 8.5 points per game (as of 8/15).
Nurse is shooting 86.4 percent from the free throw line, tied for seventh in the league (as of 8/15).
Brittany Boyd’s 5.2 assists per contest rank fourth in the WNBA (as of 8/15).
Boyd is tied for tenth in the league in steals per game with 1.3 (as of 8/15).
Bria Hartley ranks top-15 in the league with 3.7 assists per game (as of 8/15).
Las Vegas head coach Bill Laimbeer served in the same position with the Liberty for five seasons, leading them to a conference finals appearance in 2015. He joined the Aces this past offseason.
A trio of former Liberty players now suit up for Las Vegas; Carolyn Swords, Kelsey Bone, and Lindsay Allen.
KEY MATCHUP
Kayla McBride has been a thorn in the Liberty’s side this season, as the Las Vegas guard is averaging 21.5 points per game when the two teams meet this season. The responsibility of locking her down may fall on Kia Nurse, who has demonstrated a strong defensive intensity in her rookie season.
LAST MEETING
On June 22, 2018, Kayla McBride scored a game-high 27 points as the Aces handled the Liberty in Las Vegas, 88-78.
The contest was tied at 59 apiece with under eight minutes to play in the fourth quarter, but the Aces pulled away to secure the victory.
Tina Charles and Amanda Zahui B both scored 14 for the Liberty. Charles added eight rebounds and five assists.
EASY BREEZY
Against the Sparks, Bria Hartley was a crucial spark plug off the bench, hitting shots at key moments to keep the Liberty in the game. The guard finished with 10 points and six rebounds as she continues to have one of her best all-around seasons to date. The fifth-year pro has already set career-highs in assists, rebounds, and steals this year.
RESERVES AT THE READY
Due to injuries, the Liberty were down to just three available bench players for the matchup against the Sparks. Regardless, their second unit outscored their opponent’s by nine points, marking the 24th game this season the Liberty have gotten more production from their bench.
TINA & TWENTY
Tina Charles finished with a team-high 21 points against the Sparks, her fourth straight game with at least 20. It is the second time this season the veteran has reached the benchmark four games in a row, and she has 16 such games on the season.