Shavonte Zellous. Photo by: Stacy Podelski/1495Sports
The New York Liberty (5-14) never held a lead against the Dallas Wings on Sunday, falling at home, 97-87. They will look for more success on Wednesday against their conference rival, the Connecticut Sun (10-9).
QUICK HITS
Tina Charles’ 20.1 points per game rank six in the league (as of 7/10), and she is one of seven players averaging 20 or more.
Charles’ 6.9 rebounds per game are good for 11th in the league (as of 7/10).
Kia Nurse’s is sixth among rookies with 8.6 points per game (as of 7/10).
Brittany Boyd’s 4.5 assists per contest are tied for seventh in the WNBA (as of 7/10).
Bria Hartley ranks 14th in the league with 3.7 assists per game (as of 7/10).
The Liberty and Sun both rank in the bottom four in the league in free throw percentage (as of 7/10).
Sun rookie Lexie Brown was selected one pick before Liberty rookie Kia Nurse in the 2018 draft.
The Sun won the last matchup between these two teams by way of a four-point play at the buzzer (6/7).
KEY MATCHUP
The Sun’s Jasmine Thomas has long been one of the best facilitators in the WNBA, ranking top ten in the league in assists per game in each of the past four seasons. She’ll face off against the Liberty’s two-headed point guard attack of Bria Hartley and Brittany Boyd, who both rank within the top 15 this season in helpers per contest.
LAST MEETING
On June 7, 2018, Shekinna Stricklen’s miraculous four-point play at the buzzer gave the Sun an 88-86 victory over the Liberty.
The Liberty led by 13 at the half, and a Bria Hartley free throw with 5.8 seconds left gave New York a two-point lead before Stricklen’s game-winning shot.
Alyssa Thomas led the Sun with 19 points, while Tina Charles registered 24 points and nine rebounds for the Liberty.
ALL-STAR FORM
Despite averaging 20.1 points (good for sixth in the league) and 6.9 rebounds per game, Tina Charles only checked in at 17th in the first returns of All-Star voting. The veteran is certainly performing like an All-Star of late, notching at least 24 points in four of her past five games. Voting ends on Thursday, and you can help send Charles to Minnesota here.
ZAHUI B SHINES
Amanda Zahui B continues to emerge as an important offensive weapon off the bench for the Liberty. The fourth-year center has already doubled her point total from last season, and her 12 makes from deep this year matches her career high. In her last nine games, Zahui B has registered double-figure scoring in six of them.
HEART AND SOUL
Liberty players have not been shy about referring to Shavonte Zellous as the heart and soul of the team, and her play has had a large impact on Liberty outcomes this season. New York is 5-2 when she scores in double figures, and she notched 13 points in the tightly-contest matchup against the Sun earlier this season.
CRASHING THE OFFENSIVE GLASS
The Liberty and Sun both rank in top four in the league in offensive rebounds per game, and the battle on the glass proved to be the difference in the first matchup. Connecticut outrebounded New York 16-6 on the offensive end, leading to a 19-5 second chance point advantage.
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