The structure of the WNBA playoffs is supposed to reward top-seeded teams by matching them up with a lower seed in the first round. And while the first-round series between the New York Liberty and Washington Mystics series is technically a No. 2 seed-vs.-No. 7 seed matchup… it certainly doesn’t feel like it.
Favorites to advance to the Finals, New York has been given a lot to handle against Washington. An incredibly talented team, the Mystics suffered injury after injury during the regular season, leading them to a 19-21 record and the seventh seed. Yet, they are one of the only teams in the WNBA to beat the New York Liberty twice during the regular season.
So, despite the disparity between the two teams in the WNBA standings, this series was hard to predict. Game 1 in Brooklyn last Friday was full of ups and downs for both teams. Washington started off hot, leading the Liberty 29-23 after the first quarter. From there, the Mystics cooled as the Liberty only kept getting hotter and hotter. While it was Jonquel Jones who took over for New York in the first half, it was Sabrina Ionescu down the stretch. Her seven made 3-pointers tipped the Liberty over the edge for the 90-75 Game 1 win.
What can we expect in Game 2, which is set for Tuesday, Sep. 19 at 7 p.m. ET…
