Liberty look for two game sweep of Dream in Atlanta

A Saturday night in Atlanta must be the most fun place on Earth. The New York Liberty were in the ATL to take on the Dream and came away with an incredibly impressive 23 point win.

The Dream are the opponent once again tonight. Once they’re done here, they’re heading out west to begin a four game road trip.

Where to follow the game

YES Network app on the viewing side. Tip off after 7 p.m.

Injuries

Natasha Howard and Jocelyn Willoughby are out. Rebecca Allen is a game time decision.

Tiffany Hayes is out.

The game

Good vibes. Asia Durr is out for the season as she manages the after effects of her COVID-19 diagnosis. She was at the game on Saturday and visited her squad

Here’s hoping she continues to heal and will be back soon.

In New York, the Brooklyn Nets and Liberty played basketball doubleheaders. Our friends in Atlanta will be doing the same as the Hawks will be taking on the Milwaukee Bucks tonight as well.

The Dream are partnering with Blue Cross x Blue Shield of Georgia to sponsor mental health awareness night at the arena this evening. As someone who works in the mental health profession, being able to access and utilize empathetic, safe, culturally competent mental health care is of the utmost importance. Shouts to the Dream for doing their part to help out.

The turnovers didn’t come back to bite them this time, but still. 18 turnovers for the Liberty on Saturday wasn’t their season high, but it continues a worrying trend for Walt Hopkins’ club. We’ve seen how it damages them against elite teams, so that will be a goal they continue to work on.

Sabrina Ionescu is back in the starting lineup and did well. Her 10 points, six rebounds, and eight assists helped out in the backcourt and juiced up the team’s ball movement. Having her back gives the team another elite playmaker. The team’s best player right now is Betnijah Laney and having Ionescu back and seemingly healthy will open things up for the team.

Player to watch: Chennedy Carter

Carter had a good game on Saturday with 24 points, but made only one shot outside of the paint. She’s most effective getting to the basket and has made 69 percent of her shots inside of three feet. The Liberty will try to stay in front of her and force her into tough shot opportunities.

Game ball goes to Sami Whitcomb. Whitcomb had the best scoring game of her pro career as her 30 points and seven made three pointers paced the Liberty offense. Coach Hopkins floated her name as an All Star candidate, but that’s not gonna happen. Either way, the trade that brought her here to New York has paid off in a major way.

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• New York Liberty Game Notes - New York Liberty
• Atlanta Dream Game Notes - Atlanta Dream
• Liberty trying to finish off double vs. Dream - STATS