In a game filled with fun and festivities the New York Liberty and the Washington Mystics showed the world what the WNBA is going to be all about.
With a sold-out crowd in the Entertainment and Sports Arena, both teams were energized by the amazing crowd that was in attendance.
If you are a New York fan the result wasn’t there, as the ladies fell by a final of 80-64, but what was there was the pure potential.
Seen throughout the night was just some spectacular passing, along with some stellar shooting as those who watched the game can tell that it is just a matter of time prior to the Liberty truly becoming the WNBA Super Team that they are billed to be.
Helping to lead the way for the New York Liberty Sabrina Ionescu finished the game with 18 points with 7-for-20 shooting and hitting some long-range three pointers. Breanna Stewart very much impressed in her debut with the team with 12 points.
One of the most impressive performances from this journalist eyes came from Courtney Vandersloot, as she showed tremendous court vision as the night progressed. In addition, Vandersloot had herself the shot of the night, in the Third Quarter of Play.
Fans of the New York Liberty are encouraged to check out the following Post Game Press Conference, featuring Head Coach Sandy Brondello along with Vandersloot and Ionescu:
As for the Mystics, once the ladies got the momentum and their confidence there was no looking back, as they definitely look like they are going to be a team to contend with as the 2023 WNBA Season progresses.
One of the more impressive trends for the Mystics is the fact that they had a great pacing to their game, as the ladies showed great speed throughout the night.
Leading the way in the scoring is Natasha Cloud and Ariel Atkins as they both had 14 points each. Cloud had been all fired up throughout the game, making some great drives to the bucket. Also having a stellar night is Elena Delle Donne as she finished the night with 13 points to go along with five assist and four rebounds.
Mystics fans are encouraged to check out the following Post Game Presser featuring Eric Thibault along with Cloud and Delle Donne:
One of the new things for the Washington Mystics is their Dawg of the Game Award, and that is presented to the player who put in the work on the court. After the game Cloud and Delle Donne gave the award to Tianna Hawkins with her eight points.
Hawkins was a force on the floor for the Mystics as she played a huge role on both sides of the floor. It was also a milestone night for Hawkins as she now has 1,505 career points. That milestone was achieved in the Second Quarter of Play.
One could tell as the night progressed that the weight was off the backs of both the Mystics and the Liberty, as both teams ran freely and played with a ton of heart and joy.
It is going to be a quick turnaround for both squads as both teams return to action on Sunday. For the New York Liberty they get to return to the friendly confines of the Barclays Center as they play host to the Indiana Fever.
Fans of New York are going to have the chance to see the Number 1 Pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft in Aliyah Boston play in her second game of the season. Boston did well in her first game as she finished with 15 points, Nine Rebounds and a 60% Field Goal percentage.
The start of the Home Opener between the Liberty and Fever is set for 2:00 p.m.
As for the Washington Mystics they are going to be on the road to take on the Connecticut Sun. The tip for the Mystics first road game of the year is set for 1:00 p.m.
For more information on the New York Liberty fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here:
Home – New York Liberty (wnba.com)
For more information on the Washington Mystics fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here: