After a brief hiatus for the FIBA break, the No. 6 New York Liberty have made a strong resurgence in the WNBA regular season, securing consecutive victories against two top-ranked teams. Their recent performances mark a significant rebound after dropping two of their previous four contests.
On Friday, New York stunned the league-leading No. 1 Minnesota Lynx with a convincing 93-81 win, powered by forward Breanna Stewart, who contributed 24 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Stewart, recognized as the World Cup MVP, continued her dominant form on Sunday, scoring 27 points to lead a commanding 106-69 victory over the No. 13 Toronto team.
“I know what I do on the court, and everybody else knows what I do on the court,” Stewart remarked following these standout performances, underscoring her critical role in the Liberty’s recent success.
Atlanta’s Challenge to New York’s Momentum
Tonight at 8 PM ET, the Liberty face a formidable challenge from the No. 4 Atlanta Dream, who are riding their own wave of momentum. Atlanta enters the matchup fresh off back-to-back wins against No. 14 Connecticut and No. 12 Chicago, aiming to disrupt New York’s push for a favorable playoff position.
Key to Atlanta’s recent success has been star player Angel Reese, who made history during Saturday’s 106-81 victory over Chicago by becoming the first WNBA player to accumulate 500 rebounds in a single season. Her dominant presence on the boards strengthens her candidacy for year-end honors.
Atlanta coach Karl Smesko highlighted Reese’s defensive prowess, noting, “The question is whether she’ll be Defensive Player of the Year. She has a very strong case in a lot of the advanced metrics and deserves it.”
The clash between New York and Atlanta promises to be a pivotal encounter, broadcast live on Peacock, as both teams aim to solidify their standings in this competitive season.