clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Liberty and Aces return to action

By Brian Fleurantin
Los Angeles Sparks v Las Vegas Aces Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images

We’re back. When we last saw the New York Liberty, they were engaged in a close battle against the Chicago Sky. Thanks to some key buckets down the stretch and two game winning free throws from Layshia Clarendon, Walt Hopkins’ club was able to come away with their second win of the season on Tuesday night. You practice good habits and the results will come.

The opponent today will be the Las Vegas Aces. Even without some big names, Bill Laimbeer’s squad is near the top of the wubble standings and are a good bet to go on a deep playoff run. They improved their record to 11-3 with a close win against the Dallas Wings on Tuesday.

Where to follow the game

CBS Sports Network is the place to be. Brunch and basketball so we getting it started at high noon.

Injuries

No Sabrina Ionescu.

No Liz Cambage or Kelsey Plum.

The game

Vegas won the first game earlier this month.

The basketball world took a pause this week after Jacob Blake was shot seven times by police officers in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The Liberty game against Dallas on Thursday was postponed as players decided not to play in protest. It’s just a neverending cycle of tragedy and sadness and it’s just too much to bear.

As Kelsey Plum continues to recover from her Achilles injury, she took some time to chop it up with two players that dealt with something similar: Breanna Stewart and Kevin Durant

Back on the court, the Liberty will have their hands full with one of the league’s brightest stars. A’ja Wilson has been sensational this year as she’s second in the W in scoring at 20 a night and fourth in rebounding at almost nine a game. She dominated the Liberty the first time out with 31 points and hit the game winner jumper late to give the Aces the w. When Bill Laimbeer plays her at the five when Carolyn Swords is on the bench, it allows her even more room to operate and create havoc on opposing defenders. Ass the Aces go against teams like the Storm and Sparks, they’re going to need Wilson to ascend to even higher heights.

Amanda Zahui B played a great game on Tuesday and will need to play another great game today. Zahui made six three pointers in the first Aces game and when she’s able to make a difference from deep, it opens up a world of possibilities for the Liberty. Throw in some good passing and you’ve got a recipe for success.

Player to watch: Jackie Young

It’s not often that a number one pick is just... there, but that’s where Jackie Young finds herself in the Vegas hierarchy. Young was the top pick in the 2019 Draft and after starting every game last season, is coming off the bench in her sophomore season. As it so happens, she’s playing more minutes this season and is getting more comfortable as a professional player. She hasn’t had much success from deep, but then again, neither have the Aces as a crew. They’re last in attempts from three at just over ten a night. Very old school in that regard.

The backcourt duo of Layshia Clarendon and Jazmine Jones will keep the party rocking for New York. Thanks to Clarendon’s clutch buckets and overall steady play, the Liberty have managed to stay afloat even as injuries derailed their most exciting player. Having Jones serve as the backup and get minutes with Clarendon has been a success for the Liberty and the more reps Jones gets in crunch time, the better she’ll become.

From the Vault

We love you, Chad. Wakanda Forever

More From NetsDaily