Published on: Sep 23, 2021 5:22 pm IST|Updated on: Sep 23, 2021 5:22 pm IST
This marks the beginning of the WNBA Playoffs and in this elimination game two teams with contrasting journeys will face off. Here, Phoenix Mercury will have to go up against New York Liberty in a “win or go home” scenario. More information about the PHO vs NYL Dream11 scenario will be given here.
The two teams clashing here have contrasting approaches. Mercury is second-slowest at pace in 76.4, but they can afford it since Griner, Nurse, Diggins-Smith, and Turner can undertake patient execution. Meanwhile, Liberty likes to play up-tempo, getting shots early in the shot-clock, being second in pace at 80.6. However, It doesn’t translate much due to poor efficiency, as the team is eleventh in offensive rating at 97.0.
Mercury has a more experienced lineup and could have done more if not constant injuries to Taurasi while Liberty has exceeded expectations. The Natasha Howard-Griner battle up-front sounds the most intriguing one in this game. But one can’t discount the presence of Betnijah Laney, all-around Sabrina Ionescu, Diggins-Smith, and the in-form Shey Peddy.
Host: Phoenix Mercury Visitors: New York Liberty Match Timing: 24 September, @ 07:30 AM Venue: GCU Arena
GCU Arena is located in Grand Canyon University, Phoenix and is the home floor of Mercury. It has a seating capacity of 7000.
Phoenix Mercury| New York Liberty Games: 32| 32 Wins: 19| 12 Defeats: 13 | 20
History will be made. Champions will be crowned.The journey to the ? starts tomorrow with a win or go home doubleheader that tips off at 8pm/ET on ESPN2! #CountIt pic.twitter.com/3tCRSFlytH— WNBA (@WNBA) September 22, 2021
History will be made. Champions will be crowned.
The journey to the ? starts tomorrow with a win or go home doubleheader that tips off at 8pm/ET on ESPN2! #CountIt pic.twitter.com/3tCRSFlytH
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 22, 2021
Team Leaders: Points per Game– Brittney Griner: 20.5 Rebounds per Game- Brittney Griner: 9.5 Assists Per Game- Skylar Diggins-Smith: 5.3
Team Leaders: Points per Game- Betnijah Laney: 16.8 Rebounds per Game- Natasha Howard: 7.2 Assists Per Game- Sabrina Ionescu: 6.1
*stats from last game*
Sabrina Ionescu Points: 22 Rebounds: 05 Assists: 09 Steals: 01 PPG: 11.7 APG: 6.1 RPG: 5.7 Ionescu is a multi-talented PG who can score, rebound, and also act as a playmaker. She can break down defenses with her dribbles, can pull the trigger from deep, and also finish against contact. She has struggled to shoot at 38% but she is a threat in many ways, and can even get triple-doubles. Her numbers make her a fantasy option and a choice for the Super/Pro Player in the Dream11 Fantasy Line-up.
Brittney Griner Points: 06 Rebounds: 04 Assists: 02 PPG: 20.5 RPG: 9.5 BPG: 1.9 Griner has had an MVP-type season and it comes as no surprise. The veteran big knows how to score both in low-post situations and the face-up ones. Brittney can use drop-steps, step-through, switch hand layups, post-fadeaways, post hooks, jump hooks, and the list goes on and on. Her rebounding and defense make her a constant double-double threat.
Natasha Howard Points: 24 Rebounds: 10 Assists: 00 Steals: 03 PPG: 16.2 RPG: 7.2 SPG: 1.3 Natasha is a big who likes to establish low-post positions and hit tough shots inside. She can also shoot from distance. Her relentless rebounding and the energy on the floor will make a difference. Howard has hit form just at the right time and it is fair to say the Liberty couldn’t have made the postseason without her. Now, she will be huge in this elimination game.
Skylar Diggins-Smith Points: 17 Rebounds: 02 Assists: 07 PPG: 17.7 APG: 5.3 RPG: 3.2 SPG: 1.1 Skylar is an effective guard and has got a huge chance with Mercury to advance her post-season ambitions. Diggins-Smith has a loopy jumper and her ability to dribble can give her access to paint. She also has a terrific hangtime and can use her nifty moves to finish inside. Skylar is also a terrific passer and an amazing guard overall.
Betnijah Laney Points: 10 Rebounds: 03 Assists: 11 PPG: 16.8 APG: 5.2 RPG: 4.1 Laney is a quick-footed Forward who has guard-like handles. Her ability to penetrate and also hit jumpers from outside make her one of the most difficult players to guard in the league. Betnijah is also a terrific playmaker and can snatch up boards with authority.
Brianna Turner Points: 02 Rebounds: 08 Assists: 01 PPG: 7.8 RPG: 9.4 BPG: 1.3 Brianna likes to do most of her damage from inside and supply top-notch rebounding. Her wide frame along with her knack to read the trajectory of balls make her a terrific option. She can also cause disruptions in the lane through her defense and may bother Natasha Howard inside.
Sami Whitcomb Points: 13 Rebounds: 07 Assists: 01 PPG: 11.7 RPG: 5.0
Shey Peddy Points: 10 Rebounds: 05 Assists: 06 Steals: 02 PPG: 5.4
Rebecca Allen Points: 09 Rebounds: 02 Assists: 02 Blocks: 01 PPG: 9.2 RPG: 3.7 SPG: 1.6 BPG: 1.2
Kia Nurse Points: 14 Rebounds: 02 Assists: 00 PPG: 9.5 RPG: 3.5
Michaela Onyenwere Points: 04 Rebounds: 04 Assists: 01 PPG: 8.6
Sophie Cunningham Points: 12 Rebounds: 04 Assists: 01 Steals: 02 PPG: 5.6
PF: Brianna Turner SF: Kia Nurse C: Brittney Griner SG: Shey Peddy PG: Skylar Diggins-Smith
BENCH: Diana Taurasi, Alanna Smith, Kia Vaughn, Megan Walker, Sophie Cunningham, Bria Hartley.
Phoenix Mercury Squad: Kia Nurse, Shey Peddy, Alanna Smith, Diana Taurasi, Brianna Turner, Kia Vaughn, Megan Walker, Sophie Cunningham, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Brittney Griner, Bria Hartley.
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Bench: Reshanda Gray, Kylee Shook, Jocelyn Willoughby, Jazmine Jones, Leaonna Odom, Michaela Onyenwere, DiDi Richards.
New York Liberty Squad: Leaonna Odom, Rebecca Allen, Reshanda Gray, Natasha Howard, Sabrina Ionescu, Jazmine Jones, Betnijah Laney, Michaela Onyenwere, DiDi Richards, Kylee Shook, Sami Whitcomb, Jocelyn Willoughby.
Thi game can be enjoyed on WNBA League Pass. The post-match highlights are available on WNBA’s official YouTube channel.
None. No official streaming on Indian television.