The reigning WNBA champions hosted the Washington Mystics for their home finale. Coming into this game the Liberty took down the Seattle Storm on the road winning 84-76, while the Mystics lost 94-65 at home against the Indiana Fever. Sabrina Ionescu was cleared to return to the lineup after missing the past few games due to injury.
New York started the first half on fire with a first quarter lead of 19-12 led by Liberty center Emma Meesseman and forward Breanna Stewart. The lead would balloon to a 41-26 halftime score in favor of the Liberty. The Mystics would respond in the third quarter cutting the lead down to seven and won the third quarter 24-20. New York would hold on to the lead and win 75-66 to get back in the winning column. They swept the season series against the Mystics 4-0.
This was the Washington Mystics last game of the season ending on a 10-game losing streak and eliminated from the playoffs. Kiki Iriafen led the Mystics with 16 points and six rebounds. She ended her rookie season being selected as an All-Star. Sonia Citron had 13 points and also was an All-Star in her rookie season as well. Those two are the future of the Mystics.
Meesseman had 19 points off the bench, Stewart had 14 points along with eight rebounds, and Jonquel Jones had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Sabrina Ionescu coming off an injury had a solid outing with six points, five rebounds, and nine assists.
The Liberty next play the Chicago Sky on the road for the regular season finale on September 11. They have the 5 seed locked up in this year’s playoffs. The WNBA playoffs start on Sunday September 14. The New York Liberty are looking to repeat as champions.
