On the morning of June 19, the WNBA regular season will feature a marquee matchup as the Phoenix Mercury host the New York Liberty. Both teams boast star-studded rosters and have been in excellent form recently, making this clash highly anticipated.
The Liberty are currently the league’s hottest team, riding an impressive eight-game winning streak with a record of 12 wins and only two losses, second only to the top-ranked Sun. They excel on both offense and defense, averaging 86.1 points per game (third in the league) while conceding just 76.4 points (also third), boasting a +9.7 point differential (third again). Fresh off a road victory against the defending champions, the Aces, the Liberty enter the game with high spirits.
The Liberty’s starting five are all All-Stars, led by Stewart, who averages 18.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 1.9 steals, leading the team in each category. Jones contributes 16.8 points and 8.7 rebounds, while Jones just scored 34 points against the Aces. Jones averages 12.1 points, and Vandersloot, despite missing several games, is listed as questionable for this contest. Beyond their starters, the Liberty’s bench depth is average, with Sutton and Bibby being key contributors off the bench.
The Mercury bolstered their roster this season, adding All-Star Cooper alongside Griner and Taurasi, forming a formidable trio. The acquisition of Clarendon from the Mystics further strengthened the team. Currently sitting at fifth in the league with a 7-7 record, the Mercury have seen a significant boost in their performance since Griner’s return. They average 82.1 points per game (fifth in the league) but concede 85.3 points (fourth-worst), indicating defensive struggles.
Cooper leads the team with 24 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, ranking third in the league in scoring, and averaging 2.8 three-pointers made (fourth overall). Griner, since her return, has averaged 22 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks. Taurasi averages 16.7 points and 4.7 rebounds, while Clarendon averages 10.5 points and 7.5 assists, placing second in the league in assists. Additional contributors like Cunningham, Allen, and McCall provide depth, even if the team is somewhat aged. Despite this, the Mercury possess a strong lineup.
In their lone meeting this season, the Mercury narrowly lost to the Liberty on the road by three points. Over the past six encounters, the Liberty have won five, although these head-to-head records may not carry much weight given the Mercury’s upgraded roster this year. Both teams rank among the top four in the league in three-point attempts and makes, suggesting that the battle from beyond the arc could be decisive. The interior showdown between Griner and Jones is also a tantalizing prospect.
The Mercury hold a home record of 5-2, significantly better than their 2-5 away record. They have defeated strong opponents like the Storm and Lynx at home and even triumphed over the Aces on the road. Playing at home against the Liberty, the Mercury won’t be intimidated by their opponent.
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