Although the last game of the season ended with a heartbreaking loss at the buzzer to the Washington Mystics, 90-88, the playoff picture is already set. Ironically, the team that just beat the Liberty will be the same exact team they face on Friday, September 15th. These two teams are quite evenly matched and present similar problems to one another. Both teams have young core talent that they rely on, however they both also have a veteran presence to help guide them throughout the playoffs.
During the season, these two teams played four times resulting in a tied series, 2-2. This matchup will be a lot closer than many anticipate, due to the level of talent and experience these teams bring. The records may appear to make this series very lopsided, nonetheless the records don’t necessarily represent the impact of both teams while healthy.
“Look this is a really good team, that’s had a lot of injuries which forced a lot of players to carry them,” Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello stated. “Now, they’re getting some health back, and when you have injuries the bench gets going. Therefore, they feel good about themselves and they’re just competitors.”
“We knew it was going to be tough, and this is a great game for us as we prepare for the playoffs,” Brondello continued.
What can be the New York Liberty’s X-Factor?
Naturally, outside of exceptional play by the Liberty’s star players, the determining factors will be the rebounding and help extended from the crowd. The crowd will have a pivotal role in New York’s success moving forward throughout the playoffs. If the crowd can disrupt or help get into the opponent's head, this will only help or continue to disrupt their flow and gameplan. The crowd can play a huge role because the impact of the crowd can help intensify and build momentum for the Liberty.
Most importantly, the dominance on the rebounding will be vital. The Mystics matchup really well against the Liberty length, therefore they can rebound with the best of them. Former MVP Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart will be forced to retrieve a few extra possessions in order for the Liberty shooting to be effective. Through exceptional rebounding, they can neutralize some of the Mystics' strengths and speed in transition.
This Friday night at 7:30 P.M. EST, the Liberty take on the Mystics in Brooklyn. Many expect the Barclays Center to be filled to the brim with fans and possibly another sold-out crowd. In the first round of the WNBA playoffs, the series will consist of a best-to-three meaning whichever team manages to win two games first will advance to the following round.
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