TEAM NOTABLES
On Wednesday, the New York Liberty (1-0) defeated the Chicago Sky (0-1), 98-91, in the opening game of their 2022 WNBA Playoffs best-of-three, first-round series.
Tonight’s victory marked the Liberty’s first playoff victory since September 23, 2015 when they defeated the Indiana Fever, 84-67, in the first game of the 2015 Eastern Conference Finals.
At Wintrust Arena, the Liberty finished on 49.3% (37-75) shooting from the field, 44% (11-25) from three, and 92.9% (13-14) at the free throw line.
The Liberty’s 98 points set a new franchise record for single-game scoring in a playoff game.
New York has now won their last four games including the final three games of the regular season.
Up Next: The New York Liberty will remain in the Windy City to take on the Chicago Sky on Saturday, August 20 at 12 p.m. ET.
KEY RUNS
Q1: Chicago went on a 7-0 run from the 3:06 mark of the first to the 1:38 mark of the quarter.
Q2: Chicago went on a 9-0 run from the 6:52 mark of the second to the 5:26 mark of the quarter. The Liberty responded with a 20-6 run from the 5:09 mark of the second to the 1:01 mark of the quarter.
Q3: Chicago went on an 8-0 run from the 1:13 mark of the third to the 9:39 mark of the fourth quarter.
Q4: New York went on a 13-0 run from the 3:20 mark of the fourth to the 0:39 mark of the quarter to solidify the victory.
PLAYER NOTABLES
Four Liberty players scored in double figures in tonight’s game (Howard, Ionescu, Laney, Dolson).
Highlighted by her 13-point first half, Natasha Howard finished with 22 points on 52.9% (9-17) shooting from the floor, seven rebounds, three assists, and a steal.
Sabrina Ionescu added a playoff-career-high 22 points on 66.7% (8-12) shooting from the field, seven rebounds, and six assists. Ionescu scored 10 of her 22 points in the fourth quarter.
Betnijah Laney finished with 17 points on 46.2% (6-13) shooting from the floor, five rebounds, and five assists.
Stefanie Dolson totaled 13 points on 45.5% (5-11) shooting from the field, including 75% (3-4) from deep and 10 third-quarter points. Against her former team, she also added seven rebounds, and three assists. Her three makes from three-point range tied a playoff career high.
In her playoff debut, Marine Johannès added eight points on 60% (3-5) shooting from the field, a team-high seven assists, and two steals.
For Chicago, Kahleah Copper finished with 21 points, and eight rebounds, while Courtney Vandersloot totaled 13 points and a game-high 10 assists.