Amanda Zahui B. Photo by: Stacy Podelski/1495Sports
The New York Liberty (2-15) are hoping the second time is a charm, as they continue to grow and evolve as a team with a game against the Phoenix Mercury (11-7) in WNBA action on Saturday.
Here are some news and notes for fans to enjoy:
The New York Liberty (2-15) fell to the Atlanta Dream on September 3rd, 62-56, losing a defensive showdown that saw 9 lead changes. New York had a season-high 47 rebounds, which is the second-most rebounds a team has grabbed in a single game this season.
Rookie Leaonna Odom recorded a career-high 12 points, shooting 44.4% (4-9) from the field in 19:23 minutes. Kia Nurse also scored a team-high 12 points, while adding four rebounds on the night.
Paris Kea recorded a career-high 8 rebounds in her second career start. Kea also added 8 points.
The Phoenix Mercury are coming off a 105-82 win over the Indiana Fever on September 3, clinching its 7th consecutive playoff berth.
Phoenix’s veteran backcourt tandem of Skylar Diggins-Smith and Diana Taurasi led the offense with 28 and 27 points, respectively. Taurasi netted a career-high tie of 8 triples on the night.
Brianna Turner added a double-double of 16 points and 12 boards to help lead the Mercury to their 11th win of the season.
In the teams’ first meeting of the season on August 2, Phoenix recorded their largest margin of victory against New York in 24 years, winning 96-67.
The Liberty offense was led by Kia Nurse who recorded 17 points on the afternoon.
Former Liberty guard Bria Hartley led the Mercury to victory with a 27-point breakout game, which marked her career-high. Diana Taurasi added 18 points and 9 assists.
In 2019, the Mercury edged the Liberty in the head-to-head season series, 2-1.
Since 1997, New York is 27-25 against Phoenix, who is also an original WNBA franchise.
MILESTONES TO WATCH FOR:
Amanda Zahui B – Has now grabbed 10+ rebounds in five consecutive games, which is tied for the Liberty all-time record.
Kia Nurse – Currently sits at 962 total career points, 204 rebounds and 291 field goals made.
Layshia Clarendon – Averaging a career-high 11.7 points per game.
Kiah Stokes – Has a total of 884 career rebounds.
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