Liberty and Sky open up this week’s action in ‘wubble’

Still growing. The New York Liberty went up against the Connecticut Sun on Saturday night looking to pick up their second win of the 2020 season. It didn’t happen as the Sun came away with a 17 point win in the Bradenton “wubble.”

The opponent tonight will be the Chicago Sky. Chicago has been one of the better teams in this abbreviated 2020 season and are hoping to go on a deep run when the playoffs get started in September. They helped the cause by beating the Indiana Fever on Saturday afternoon.

Where to follow the game

CBS Network is the place to be. Tip off after 7 PM.

Injuries

Sabrina Ionescu is on the mend, but she’s out. After tonight, there are only nine Liberty games left. Will she re-appear? The Liberty aren’t saying.

Azura Stevens, Diamond Deshields, and Jantel Lavender are out.

The game

The Sky won the first meeting last week.

The point guard matchup should be interesting. The duo of Layshia Clarendon and Jazmine Jones have split PG duties for Walt Hopkins’ squad and Jones’ continued development has been a silver lining to New York’s season. They’ll have a big test defending against one of the league’s best guards, Courtney Vandersloot. Vandersloot is tops in the W in assists and has been the leader in that category for the past four seasons. Most importantly, she’s cut down on her turnovers a great deal, which has helped the Sky to the second best offensive rating in the league.

Amanda Zahui B has hit a bit of a cold stretch. She hasn’t shot above 30 percent in four out of her last five games and has been saddled with foul trouble more times than not. She’s someone that is essential to NY’s offense as her ability to stretch the floor spreads the defense out and her passing ability can help cutters find good looks at the basket. As she goes, so go the Liberty.

Player to watch: Kahleah Copper

After coming off the bench her first four years in the league, Copper was inserted into the starting lineup this season and has been a revelation. She’s started every game this season and is naturally averaging career highs in: minutes, assists, rebounds, and points. She recently spoke about her gains on the court and said:

“I’ve been consistent. I always have more to give, always. I think I could be better defensively, and the offense will come, but I’m cool with where I am. I can always get in and out. I’ll get better every day.”

When you consistently develop players and put them in positions to succeed, the results will always shine through.

Kia Nurse will be the perimeter scorer for New York tonight. The injuries at the top of the season slowed Nurse down a great deal, but she’s gradually picked up strength as the season as progressed. She’s crossed the 30 minute plateau in the past three games and four out of the last five and for a team that needs as much scoring punch as possible to compete, having Nurse gives them an option to go to. Now she just needs some more shots to go down and she’ll really be in business.

From the Vault

Love you, Kobe and Gigi

• Game Notes: New York Liberty - New York Liberty
• Game Notes: Chicago Sky - Chicago Sky
• Liberty-Sky Preview - STATS/TSX