Betnijah Laney and the Liberty will return to action Thursday night when they visit the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena. AP Photo by Lindsey Wasson
Winners of eight of their last nine games, the red-hot New York Liberty can cool down the Connecticut Sun’s hopes of overtaking them for the top spot in the Eastern Conference Thursday night at Mohegan Sun Arena.
The Liberty (25-7), who have already beaten the Sun (23-10) twice this season, can claim the season series from Connecticut and move 3 1/2 lengths in front of the defending conference champions with seven games to play.
New York eclipsed the Sun, 81-65, at Barclays Center on May 27 behind Breanna Stewart’s 27 points.
The Liberty backed that up in their last visit to Connecticut on June 27 as Stewart poured in 24 points and former Sun star Jonquel Jones added 14 points and 11 rebounds.
New York rebounded from its lone loss in the last three weeks, an 88-75 setback at Las Vegas, with Friday’s 85-63 win in Phoenix.
Betnijah Laney scored 22 points and Sabrina Ionescu added 18 for the Liberty, who improved to 3-1 on their ongoing six-game road trip.
Having played their fifth game in seven days, including an Aug. 15 Commissioner’s Cup championship game triumph at Vegas, the Liberty were relieved to get some well-deserved rest before this tilt.
“Now we can relax a little bit. Go home, get some rest and prepare for who we have next,” said Laney.
Jones spent her first six seasons in Connecticut, helping the Sun to two WNBA Finals appearances, including a year ago. The 2021 league MVP has posted 11 double-doubles for New York this season.
Connecticut has played twice since the Liberty ran past the Mercury, beating Chicago, 79-73, on Sunday before edging Washington, 68-64, Tuesday night.
Alyssa Thomas led the Sun with 22 points in each contest. The WNBA’s…
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