Sabrina Helps Liberty To 9th Straight Win
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Shara Talia Taylor
Reese And Sky Fall To 2-6
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
The New York Liberty, have tied for the 4th longest winning to start a WNBA season, after their 85-66 victory over the Chicago Sky Tuesday night at Barclays Center
They now have a 9-0 record, their best start in franchise history, after the win played in front of a full house and a star-studded crowd including Vanessa Bryant, her daughters and 2x Grand Slam tennis champion Coco Gauf. It was an exciting game from the start as the Liberty took an early lead, against Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky, and held onto the advantage throughout the match.
“It’s super important to be able to come out and kind of set the tone,” said Sabrina Ionescu, who led New York with 23 points.
The Liberty were ahead 10-0 by the first timeout in the first quarter. Nyara Sabally, who started, led New York with five points at the time. She had nine points, three rebounds and an assist in the game. She also knew the importance of beginning the game strong from the start. “Obviously they’re really great players, really good young players,” Sabally said about the excitement of the game and playing against players like Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. “I’m sure I’ll probably play against them for a long, long time.”
Ionescu made a 3-pointer as the first quarter ended with New York ahead 26-15. They kept their lead in the second quarter. Ionescu made a layup as the first half came to an end. Kennedy Burke followed up with a 3-pointer for New York before the buzzer sounded. New York led 52-32 at halftime and 70-42 by the end of the third quarter.
Reese led the Sky with 17 points. She won the BET Sportswoman of the Year award for the 3rd consecutive year on June 9th. “It’s great,” she said. “It really meant something to other people today because, it’s me. I just focus on basketball. I come into work every day and work.”
Chicago Sky Head Coach Tyler Marsh said the biggest challenge facing the Liberty were turnovers. “The turnovers impact your ability to get back in transition for a team that is really good in transition,” Coach Marsh said. “This is a championship team. You can’t beat yourself.”
New York had 11 turnovers and forces 22 Chicago turnovers.
Gauff cheered on the Liberty and the crowd cheered for her. She had just won her first French Open title after defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the women’s tennis final at Roland Garros last Saturday.
“Everyone was watching the match cheering her on,” Ionescu said about Gauff playing in the French Open. “We’re excited for when she comes out here in New York (for the US Open). I think it’s just super important, women supporting women.”
The Liberty moves ahead undefeated in the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup.
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