On August 23, the WNBA regular season continues with the Liberty hosting the Wings for the second time in three days.
The Liberty are leading the league with a record of 24 wins and 4 losses, averaging 86.5 points per game and conceding 76.1 points per game, with a home record of 13 wins and 1 loss.
The Wings are ranked tenth in the league with 6 wins and 21 losses, averaging 82 points per game and conceding 90.6 points per game, with an away record of 2 wins and 13 losses.
The two teams had just faced off on August 21, with the Liberty, without Jonquel Jones, pulling away in the final quarter to beat the Wings 94-74. Liberty player Breanna Stewart contributed 26 points and 12 rebounds, Jonkeva Young added 23 points and 12 rebounds, Marine Johannes scored 13 points, and Sabrina Ionescu had 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 11 assists. For the Wings, Satou Sabally led with 24 points, while Arike Ogunbowale added 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, and Natasha Howard chipped in with 13 points and 9 rebounds.
The Liberty have performed exceptionally well this season, particularly standout players Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu. Both average 20 points per game, with Stewart also contributing 8.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game, while Ionescu adds 4.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.1 steals.
Center Betnijah Laney averages 14.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game, while the injured Sami Whitcomb contributes 12.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.
The Wings, who tend to be strong offensively but weak defensively, have shown average performance this season. Defensively they struggle, but offensively they boast several key players. Arike Ogunbowale averages 22 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 2.6 steals per game. Satou Sabally has scored over 20 points in both games since her return. Natasha Howard averages 16.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, while Emma Meesseman averages 14 points, and Teaira McCowan averages 11.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.
In terms of injuries, Liberty’s Sami Whitcomb remains out, while Marine Johannes and Sabrina Ionescu are listed as day-to-day and their availability is uncertain. The Wings currently have a full roster available for play.
Considering the strength of the players, the Liberty, who are ranked first and have won seven consecutive games, clearly have the advantage. However, the Wings currently have a more complete lineup, and if Ionescu continues to be absent for the Liberty, it will be a significant loss. Theoretically, there is potential for the Wings to cause an upset, but given that the Wings have the worst away record in the league, winning at the Liberty’s home court, which has the highest home win rate, would be very challenging.
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