TEAM NOTABLES
On Sunday, the New York Liberty (16-20) defeated the Atlanta Dream (14-22), 87-83, in the final game of their 2022 four-game season series.
With today’s victory over the Atlanta Dream, the New York Liberty clinched a spot in the 2022 WNBA Playoffs. This playoff berth marks the franchise’s second consecutive postseason appearance and the 17th overall in the history of the franchise.
Following the Liberty clinching a playoff berth this afternoon, Liberty Head Coach Sandy Brondello has now coached a team to the postseason in all ten of her seasons as a WNBA Head Coach.
At Barclays Center, the Liberty finished on 45% (27-60) shooting from the field, 46.9% (15-32) from three, and 81.8% (18-22) at the free throw line.
Up Next: The New York Liberty will take on either the Las Vegas Aces or the Chicago Sky in the best-of-three, first round of the 2022 WNBA Playoffs on Wednesday, August 17.
KEY RUNS
Q1: Atlanta went on a 12-4 run from the 9:10 mark of the first to the 5:58 mark of the quarter. New York responded with an 11-2 run from the 5:14 mark of the first to the 3:08 mark of the quarter.
Q2: Atlanta went on a 15-5 run from the 7:04 mark of the second to the 4:12 mark of the quarter.
Q3: There were no significant runs in this quarter.
Q4: Atlanta went on a 14-6 run from the 8:02 mark of the fourth to 3:22 mark of the quarter. New York went on a 10-2 run from the 2:49 mark of the fourth to the 0:08 mark of the quarter.
PLAYER NOTABLES
Three Liberty players scored in double figures in tonight’s game (Johannès, Howard, Dolson).
Highlighted by her 12-point first quarter that included a perfect 100% (4-4) shooting from three-point range, Marine Johannès finished with 18 points on 75% (6-8) shooting from the field, including 75% (6-8) from deep, four assists, and a rebound. Her six makes from behind the arc today set a new career high. Johannès is the not only the first Liberty player to connect on four three-pointers in the first quarter since Nicole Powell on August 14, 2010, but also the first to hit four consecutive first-quarter threes since Cathrine Kraayeveld on July 22, 2009.
Natasha Howard totaled 18 points on 62.5% (5-8) shooting from the floor, nine rebounds, and three assists.
Stefanie Dolson recorded her 2500th career point with her three-pointer at the 2:43 mark of the third quarter. On the afternoon, she finished with 15 points on 60.0% (3-5) shooting from three, a game-high 12 rebounds, and five assists – her first double-double of the season.
For Atlanta, Rhyne Howard finished with a game-high 24 points, including 14 second-quarter points, and a career-high-tying seven assists, while Monique Billings added 15 points and six rebounds.