Wings vs Liberty Preview: Wings Play Freely After Missing Playoffs, Liberty Aim for Consecutive Wins

On September 11, the WNBA regular season continues with the Dallas Wings hosting the New York Liberty.

The Dallas Wings suffered a crushing defeat against the Chicago Sky in their last game, extending their losing streak to four games, bringing their record to 9 wins and 26 losses, placing them second-to-last in both the Western Conference and the league overall, thus missing out on the playoffs early. The Wings had previously secured three consecutive wins, giving them a glimmer of hope for making the playoffs, but unfortunately, they then experienced another four-game losing streak. In their last game against the Sky, Arike Ogunbowale scored 23 points, yet it was not enough to prevent the team’s loss. With no chance of making the playoffs, the Wings can now play without pressure, and the players have nothing to worry about.

This season, although the Wings’ record has been very poor, there are some areas where they have performed well, averaging 34.9 rebounds per game, ranking fourth in the league, including 10.6 offensive rebounds, which allows the team more opportunities for second-chance points. The Wings’ roster is still quite solid, with Arike Ogunbowale averaging 22.6 points per game, ranking third in the league. She is supported by Satou Sabally, Awak Kuier, and Teaira McCowan, but they failed to gel as a unit. Now, they can only place their hopes on next season.

The New York Liberty’s performance this season has been outstanding, consistently holding the top spot in the league. Currently, their record stands at 29 wins and 6 losses, securing a playoff berth early on. Their next goal is to lock down the number one spot in the league. Recently, the Liberty’s momentum has also been impressive. In their last game against the defending champions, the Aces, they held off the opponent’s comeback in the final quarter, winning 75-71 and securing their third consecutive victory, completing a sweep of the Aces this season. Breanna Stewart scored 21 points and 11 rebounds, Natasha Howard added 15 points and 8 rebounds, and Sabrina Ionescu contributed 14 points. These three players form the core trio of the team, and the team’s success in the playoffs will rely heavily on them.

The Liberty’s offensive performance has been formidable, averaging 85.6 points per game, presenting a significant threat from beyond the arc with three-point specialist Sabrina Ionescu. Additionally, the Liberty’s defensive improvement is evident, allowing an average of just 76.1 points per game, ranking third in the league. This season, Breanna Stewart averages 20.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists, serving as the team’s top core player. Alongside her are Sabrina Ionescu and Natasha Howard, who consistently contribute in every game. Marine Johannes averages 12.1 points, making the team lineup quite formidable.

This is the third meeting between the two teams this season. In the previous two meetings, the Liberty won both games. However, in their most recent encounter, the Liberty only managed to win 79-71, so they cannot afford to be complacent. After all, the Wings have already missed the playoffs and have nothing to lose, while the Liberty need to secure victories to clinch the top spot in the league early.

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