The New York Liberty and Washington Mystics meet Thursday in WNBA action at the Capital One Arena. The New York Liberty look to snap a 4-game losing streak. The Washington Mystics look for a win after winning 5 of their last 7 games.
The New York Liberty are averaging 79.9 points on 43 percent shooting and allowing 84.7 points on 42.4 percent shooting. Sabrina Ionescu is averaging 17.5 points and 6.3 assists, while Natasha Howard is averaging 15.5 points and 7 rebounds. Betnijah Laney is the third double-digit scorer and Marine Johannes is grabbing 1.8 rebounds. The New York Liberty are shooting 34.9 percent from beyond the arc and 80.2 percent from the free throw line. The New York Liberty are allowing 36.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 34 rebounds per game.
The Washington Mystics are averaging 80 points on 43.6 percent shooting and allowing 75.9 points on 43.1 percent shooting. Elena Delle Donne is averaging 16.8 points and 6.2 rebounds, while Ariel Atkins is averaging 14.7 points and 3.2 rebounds. Natasha Cloud is the third double-digit scorer and Alysha Clark is grabbing 4.9 rebounds. The Washington Mystics are shooting 34.4 percent from beyond the arc and 77 percent from the free throw line. The Washington Mystics are allowing 33.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 35.2 rebounds per game.
The New York Liberty have fallen apart these last couple of weeks, and their defense has taken a major step backwards during this losing stretch. The Washington Mystics are playing some of their best ball of the season over these last 2 weeks, and they obviously have the offensive horsepower to give the Liberty issues. Yes, the Liberty have won both meetings this season against the Mystics, but it feels like these clubs are heading in different directions right now. Give me the Mystics.
AUTHOR: Randy Chambers
Mitch's Take...
