The New York Liberty are coming off a somewhat embarrassing defeat at home to the Golden State Valkyries on Thursday.
But when New York hosts the Dallas Wings at the Barclays Center at 3:30 p.m. ET. on Sunday night, it will enter the game with a fresh approach.
That’s because four-time All-Star Sabrina Ionescu, who averaged 18.2 points, 5.7 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals last season, is making her WNBA season debut.
The Liberty could use her help. New York got 18 points and 9 rebounds from Breanna Stewart and 16 points and 8 rebounds from Jonquel Jones, but allowed five Golden State Valkyries players to score in double figures in an 87-70 setback on Thursday.
Rebekah Gardner scored 12 points, and prized offseason acquisition Satou Sabally made her Liberty debut with five points in 16 and a half minutes, but New York shot just 25% (6 for 24) from beyond the arc in losing for the second time in three games, and first time at home.
Dallas never had a chance at Atlanta on Friday, as the Dream opened the game on a 16-3 run and closed on a 23-5 flurry to win easily, 86-69.
Awak Kuier had a team-high 16 points off the bench, followed by Odyssey Sims with 14 points, and Jessica Shephard with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
However, Dallas’s studs, Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale, went a combined 4 for 24 from the field and scored just nine points. Bueckers had seven points, well below her 20.8 points per game season average, while Ogunbowale was held to just two points.
Dallas started 1 for 17 from the field and finished shooting just 38% (28 for 74), including 25% (7 for 28) from long range. The Wings also made just 6 of 12 free throws.
Dallas Wings vs. New York Liberty betting picks and predictions
New York Liberty +7.5 (-115)
The Liberty are listed as 7.5-point favorites this afternoon, with a -300 moneyline. Dallas is at +240.
The Wings are 4-2 against the spread in their last six games against New York. And there is no reason to expect Bueckers and Ogunbowale to have such clunkers offensively for the second game in a row.
However, Ionescu’s presence alone should ignite the Liberty. She injured her left ankle in a preseason win over Connecticut, so she will be rusty this afternoon, but also fresh. Her presence reignites the inside-outside threat she poses with Stewart.
Sabally averaged 16.3 points last season with Phoenix, as the Mercury reached the WNBA Finals. She had not played since suffering a concussion in Game 3 of that series with the Las Vegas Aces.
After brushing off the dust herself, she should be more than ready to face the Wings, whom she starred for five years before joining Phoenix last season.
Dallas should play better than it did against Atlanta, but New York will have all the momentum with the home crowd and Ionescu’s season debut on tap. Take the Liberty to win and cover that 7.5-point spread.
Over 179.0 points (-110)
The Liberty will be excited to have a full complement of players after scoring a season-low 70 against Golden State. New York had averaged a league-best 100 points through four games. They’ll get much closer to that benchmark this afternoon.
Dallas also scored well below its season average the other day. The Wings average 87.5 points per game. New York is not as stingy defensively as the Dream, who sit second in the WNBA in scoring defense. The Liberty allow 87 points per game right now.
The Liberty have played to the over in 4 of 5 games this season. Look for them to make that 5 out of 6.
Dallas Wings vs. New York Liberty odds
Dallas Wings | +225 |
New York Liberty | -275 |
Spread | NY Liberty -7.5 |
Total Points | O/U 179.0 |
Dallas Wings vs. New York Liberty player props
Player points
Paige Bueckers (DAL Wings) | O/U 18.5 |
Arike Ogunbowale (DAL Wings) | O/U 15.5 |
Jessica Shephard (DAL Wings) | O/U 10.5 |
Breanna Stewart (NY Liberty) | O/U 19.5 |
Sabrina Ionescu (NY Liberty) | O/U 13.5 |
Jonquel Jones (NY Liberty) | O/U 12.5 |
Dallas Wings vs. New York Liberty team news
Dallas Wings
Dallas has no injuries to report for this afternoon's game.
New York Liberty
Ionescu returns today. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, who is averaging 8.3 points, missed the Golden State contest for personal reasons but she is expected to retun.
New York is still missing Leonie Fiebich, who is fulfilling overseas playing commitments in Spain.
Read the latest WNBA news on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
