Mystics 0-1 vs Liberty 1-0
When: Tuesday, September 19th, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Barclays Center
TV: ESPN, YES App
Injury
Mystics: Kristi Toliver (Out, Torn ACL), Shakira Austin ( Out, Left Hip),
Liberty: None Listed
Keep an eye on:
Closing out on shooters: was the most obvious and main reason why Washington lost game one of this series. They uncharacteristically fell apart defensively, especially in the second half defending Sabrina Ionescu. Ionescu had airspace, she got free off the bounce and had WIDE OPEN attempts, while she was hot shooting the ball. Mystics defenders, didn't communicate consistently, which caused confusion when it came to the Mystics front court deciding whether to hedge out or stay with one of the Liberty's big and for Mystics guards deciding whether to go under or over screens or to switch outright.
With three of the best defenders in the WNBA in Brittney Sykes, Natasha Cloud and Ariel Atkins, this shouldn't happen...ever. Ionescu wasn't alone in lighting up Washington from deep. Betnijah Laney was 3-6 from deep as well, doing most of her damage in the first half. Mystics guard Natasha Cloud said in a recent shoot around presser that the Mystics team defense was "lazy" and the tape was "humbling,' she also said that tonight, "they (Liberty) have a rude awakening..." we shall see if those words proved to be prophetic.
