Champs to face rising challenger
To put it directly, the win against the Las Vegas Aces was a much needed tonic for our beloved but wounded New York Liberty. Even without top players like Natasha Cloud and Jonquel Jones, the remaining healthy core were able to step up when called upon. The Barclays crowd was delighted with an aggressive performance by Leonie Fiebich. Sabrina Ionescu did Sabrina Ionescu-like things, and they team flexed its muscles a bunch with key buckets through contact down the stretch.
Today, although, is a new day. If the Liberty want to avenge their dreadful month of June, they simply have to put up more wins. Atlanta Dream coming into Brooklyn today should spark up some competitive juices. In their last meeting, back on June 29 Brionna Jones of the second place Dream led the way for the Dream to defeat the Liberty with a 21-point performance. On this afternoon, the Liberty look to play at a level where they can take advantage all those good feelings left over from the Las Vegas win.
Where to Watch
Catch the action at 3:00 p.m. ET on My9 TV.
Injuries
For the Liberty, Jonquel Jones remains out with her ankle injury. Natasha Cloud and Isabelle Harrison are back.
For the Dream, everybody is good to go.
The Game
Despite the Dream falling 99-82 to Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever Friday night, Jordin Canada put up a performance that should have the Liberty to pay attention to her today. Dropping 30 points on 6-of-11 from 3-point range, She will definitely need eyes watching her as soon as she crosses half court.
And then of course, Rhyne Howard will need to be closely defended as well (She’s been on my watch list for two years now).
For the Liberty, Natasha Cloud’s return will be huge, as her playmaking and overall energy allows the Liberty to play with a new gear every time she is on the court. If she can be as effective in her aggression to score the ball, the Dream could be in trouble.
We’ll be paying attention to Nyara Sabally as well today, as she’ll have her hands full with Britney Griner, even though the 34-year-old veteran is only averaging a modest 10 points and 5.6 rebounds per game this season. If Nyara can just stay solid in the paint and remain the force she has been, she will be fine.
The name of the game will be defense, as we all know the Liberty can score.
Player to Watch
Brionna Jones is a big reason that the Dream is only a game and a half behind the Libs. The 6’3” forward is having a well-rounded season, averaging 13.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Her big game back on June 29 was one on her best. The 21 points was a season high and she added six rebounds, three assists, a steal and two blocked shots while shooting 8-of-14 overall and 5-of-6 from the stripe.
The steady Maryland product is on her way to her sixth straight double digit scoring season in this, her first year with the Dream after eight seasons with the Connecticut Sun. The three-time All-Star (2021, 2022, 2024) and winner of Most Improved Player (2021) and Sixth Player of the Year (2022). Her superpower is defense and she’s likely to spend a lot of time pushing Sabrina Ionescu.
From the Vault
Few cities have the sports history that Atlanta boasts but none can top what happened in July of 1996, 29 years ago this week, at the Games of Atlanta, when Muhammed, Ali, his body racked by Parkinson’s, appeared high about the Olympic Stadium to light the torch that opened the games.
Only a handful of people knew it would be The Greatest. It was indeed the best kept secret in sports, possibly ever. Bob Costas and Dick Enberg, the NBC Sports announcers, didn’t know. Olympic producer Dick Ebersol wanted their reaction to be as shocked as everyone in the stadium and the hundreds of millions watching around the world.
It worked.
President Bill Clinton who was on hand for the Opening Ceremonies described the next few seconds as “the loudest hush” he’d ever heard. The next moment, the crowd of 85,000 erupted. It was an American moment.
More reading: Las Vegas Review-Journal, Swish Appeal, Breakaway, Women’s Basketball Roundup, The Local W, SB Nation, New York Daily News, New York Post, Gotta Get Up, The Athletic. NY Liberty Fan TV, Fansided, Just Women’s Sports, Sports Illustrated, NY Liberty Fan TV, Winsidr, No Cap Space, Fansided, Her Hoop Stats, CBS Sports, Yahoo Sports, and The Next