The WNBA Playoffs are finally here! After a momentous, record breaking regular season, the race to the championship is on. On Sunday afternoon, the race to the 2024 Championship officially begins. And for the New York Liberty, they begin their quest to finish the story and win that elusive first championship.
It’s been a magical year for the Liberty. At 32-8, they enter the playoffs with the league’s best record and homecourt advantage throughout the postseason, everything is lining up for the Liberty to go on a deep run. They’ve got the talent. They’ve got the juice. And we can’t forget that they’ve got the best fans in basketball. Combine that with the burning desire to make up for a heartbreaking Finals loss and you’ve got the ingredients of a special story.
In order for New York to finish the story, they have to get by the Atlanta Dream. Atlanta has fought hard to make it to the playoffs after a terrible start to the season. So what are the questions in this 1-8 matchup? Let’s take a look!
Can Rhyne Howard solve the Liberty defense?
Quiet as it’s kept, the 2022 number one pick has struggled against New York in her career. In ten career games against Sandy Brondello’s club, Howard has only shot above 40 percent from the field twice. New York has a bevy of defenders that can chase Howard off of screens, force her into traffic, and just generally be a nuisance to the former All Star
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton will draw the initial assignment on Howard. Bee has been a terrific defender since joining the Liberty all the way back in 2021. She typically draws the opponent’s best player and does a great job of making them uncomfortable. Not to be outdone, the Liberty will deploy Kayla Thornton, Kennedy Burke, and Leonie Fiebich on Howard. Fiebich in particular has been exceptional and throws a wrench in the opponent’s plans. And if all else fails, you can always count on Breanna Stewart to take on the challenge if necessary.
For the Liberty, they will have to throw a bunch of different looks and defenders to keep Howard off-balance. If they’re successful, it will make scoring for the Dream even more difficult.
Can Sabrina Ionescu regain her rhythm?
After returning from the Olympics, Sabrina Ionescu suffered a neck injury that kept her out of action for two games. Since she’s returned, her shooting statistics have taken a turn for the worse as she tries to regain her All WNBA form.
“You know, she’s just trying to get a rhythm back, probably pushing the needle a little bit,” Sandy Brondello said after a recent victory against the Dallas Wings. “We just said, ‘let the game come to you.’”
That’s going to be of the utmost importance for Ionescu this series. The Liberty have various advantages in this matchup, and Sab will have to make sure she helps New York exploit every single one of them. When she’s looking to score, she has to avoid settling for floaters and instead get two feet in the paint. The Liberty are most dangerous when they play inside-out, and Ionescu is a better than she’s given credit for finisher at the basket. The Liberty will need Sabrina to make the right play on every possession and create high quality shots for herself and her teammates.
It will be up to Allisha Gray to try and slow Ionescu down. Gray is the Dream’s Swiss Army knife as she fills a variety of roles for Tanisha Wright’s team. Due to the injury to Aerial Powers, the duo of Gray and Howard have had to take on even more responsibilities and play more minutes. They’ve done well, but will need to find another gear in order to slow down the league’s number one offense.
Can the Dream slow down Jonquel Jones?
2024 has been a return to form for the former MVP. Jonquel Jones put forth an All WNBA caliber season as she is at full strength following a foot injury that bothered her for much of 2023. She’s back to looking like her old self and has reminded everyone that she’s one of the very best players in the world
Jonquel can do just about everything at a high level on a basketball court. Need a bucket in the mid/low post? Check. Need to capitalize on a 4-3 advantage? She’ll make the right pass to a wide open shooter in the corner for three. Need to improve spacing on offense? She can draw the opposing center out to the three point line with her jump shooting. Gotta turn someone back at the rim? JJ is ninth in the WNBA in blocks. Clutch free throws? She’s got that too! Jonquel hits every button for the Liberty and they will need her at the peak of her powers if they want to go far in the playoffs.
Tina Charles will have the tall task of battling with Jones. Without Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, Charles has had to carry the Dream frontcourt on both sides of the ball. Since Parker-Tyus’ season injury on August 18, Charles has averaged 33.5 minutes per game. That mark is tenth highest in the WNBA and would be the second highest minutes per game mark of her entire career if we stretched it out to a full season. In the rare moments she does sit, former Liberty center Lorela Cubaj and Nia Coffey will get some run. It will be up to them to try and bother Jones enough so that she doesn’t dominate the interior for the Liberty.
If the Liberty want to win the WNBA championship, they can’t look ahead. You have to lock in on the immediate task in front of you and be in the moment. They have to be prepared and ready for a dangerous Atlanta Dream squad. If they’re able to meet the moment and handle business, it could be the first step in a beautiful journey to the Championship.