1495 Sports is proud to bring the following New York Liberty Post Game Press Conference from 8/27. This was after the team’s 80-64 loss to the Phoenix Mercury. Video features thoughts from Head Coach Walt Hopkins along with stars of the game Betnijah Laney, Natasha Howard and Rebecca Allen
On Friday night, the New York Liberty (11-16) were defeated by the Phoenix Mercury (15-10), 80-64, in their third and final matchup of the 2021 regular season. With tonight’s win, Phoenix won the season series, 2-1.
Down as many as 19 in the first half, New York took the lead 45-44 on a 13-2 third quarter run. Phoenix regained the lead later in the third and never looked back, outscoring the Liberty 24-14 in the fourth quarter.
The Liberty finished a five-game home stand on 37.3% (25-67) shooting from the field, 30.3% (10-33) from three, and 100% (4-4) at the free throw line. Phoenix shot 81.8% (18-22) from the charity stripe.
New York totaled 35 rebounds, 20 team assists, four steals, four blocks, and 12 fast break points.
Up Next: The New York Liberty travel to the Twin Cities to take on the Minnesota Lynx. Tip-off is 8 pm ET on Amazon Prime.
PLAYER NOTABLES
Three Liberty players scored in double figures (Howard, Ionescu, Laney).
Natasha Howard finished the contest with 18 on 57.1% (8-14) from the field, her second-highest scoring output this season and sixth game scoring in digits in the last seven games. Howard also totaled seven rebounds and three assits.
2021 WNBA All-Star Betnijah Laney finished with 14 points on 38.5% (5-13) shooting, eight rebounds, and six assists; her 24th game eclipsing double figure scoring this season.
Sabrina Ionescu finished one assist away from her second-career triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists (both team highs). This is her 15th game scoring in double figures this season, and sixth consecutive 10+ point game post-Olympic break.
Rebecca Allen added eight points and grabbed a season-high eight rebounds for the second consecutive game. Allen also tallied three blocks, tying her season-high.
Off the bench, Liberty rookie guard DiDi Richards added seven points on 42.9% (3-7) shooting from the field and two assists.
Skylar Diggins-Smith finished with a game-high 27 points on 43.8% (7-16) shooting from the field and 50.0% (2-4) from deep. She also added seven assists and four steals.
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