clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

POSTPONED: Liberty and Wings were scheduled to play tonight.

By Brian Fleurantin
Dallas Wings v Los Angeles Sparks Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images

Two for the show! The New York Liberty entered Tuesday's matchup with the Chicago Sky hoping to get their second win of the season. Thanks to two clutch Layshia Clarendon free throws in the final seconds of the game, NY came away with a two point win.

The opponent tonight was supposed to be the Dallas Wings. However, the WNBA issued a statement postponing all of Thursday’s games.

NEW YORK, Aug. 27, 2020 – As the WNBA players continue discussions and reflection on recent events, the WNBA announced that the three games scheduled for this evening (Chicago Sky vs. Indiana Fever; Dallas Wings vs. New York Liberty; Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm) have been postponed.

Information regarding rescheduling of yesterday and today’s games will be provided when available.

Following the announcement, the Liberty tweeted out how the organization sees the current situation.

And Joe Tsai added his voice on behalf of the Liberty and Nets...

————

Dallas is putting together a nice roster that figures to compete in the future, but the present day hasn't been too kind to them. They lost a tough one on Tuesday night to the Las Vegas Aces.

Where to follow the game

CBS Sports Network and YES Network on TV. Tip off after 8 PM.

Injuries

Sabrina Ionescu is out.

Isabelle Harrison and Moriah Jefferson are out.

The game

Outside the “bubble,” the world has continued to be a hellscape. Over the weekend, Jacob Blake was shot eight times in the back by police officers in Kenosha, Wisconsin after he broke up a fight involving two women in the community.

The shooting has left Blake paralyzed and there are fears it may be permanent. On Tuesday night into Wedneaday morning, video footage emerged of a teenager named Kyle Rittenhouse allegedly killing two protesters and being given passage from law enforcement to leave the area without being apprehended. He was later arrested and is currently facing charges.

With that as the backdrop, basketball players decided that they had enough. First, the Milwaukee Bucks sat out their playoff game against the Orlando Magic in protest of the Blake shooting, and soon after the rest of the NBA playoff games were put on hold as players decided to sit it out.

Here in the WNBA, players also decided to sit in protest as Wednesday's games were postponed. Elizabeth Williams of the Atlanta Dream read this statement on ESPN:

Wednesday, as news emerged from Kenosha, Orlando and Brandenton, the Liberty were engaged in their previously scheduled UNITY game event, “STAY LOUD: Why We #SayHerName.” a discussion of the lives of Black Women who have been killed by police. Video of the discussion can be found here.

The team and players also tweeted out a steady stream of concerns drawn from the discussion.

We have no idea where things will go from here, but we'll do our very best to keep you updated as to what's going on.

On the court, the Liberty had a lot to feel good about. Amanda Zahui B had her best game in a while as she scored 22 points, made four three pointers, grabbed 12 rebounds, got three blocks and steals each, and made two crucial assists late in the game. When Zahui B is playing well, life is so much easier on the court for Walt Hopkins' club.

We've spent this week thinking about what Kobe Bryant meant to us, and a player that was inspired by him is Arike Ogunbowale. She's been the focal point of the Wings' attack in her two years in the league, and as Dallas gets better, she won't have to carry such a heavy burden on offense.

Player to watch: Satou Sabally

Following Tuesday's game, Sabally addressed the media postgame with this:

Even as a rookie, Sabally has stepped into a leadership role and it's been noticed and appreciated by her peers. Here's Zahui B speaking about Sabally:

"In Europe, we really don’t talk about racism like we do in America. So for her to use her platform and her young voice, is beautiful."

Like a lot of players this season, Sabally was affected by injuries. A teammate of Sabrina Ionescu at Oregon, she missed a few games due to a back and returned on the 23rd against the Los Angeles Sparks. She's getting a better feel for the game as she takes the W in and had her best game of the season against the Aces on Tuesday.

Kiah Stokes will be in the frontcourt for the Liberty. She was in the crunch time lineup and hit a key layup that put them up three late. Like everybody else on the roster, she's worked to become a better three pointer. Although 25 percent from three isn't the best, you have to remember she never made a shot from downtown prior to this season.

Jam session

Take it from me...

More From NetsDaily