Breanna Stewart and the New York Liberty are vying for their seventh win in eight games when they visit the Chicago Sky on Tuesday.
New York (22-14) nearly blew a double-digit second-half lead Saturday at the Connecticut Sun, but recovered for an 82-75 victory behind 23 points and 11 rebounds from Jonquel Jones.
“We have to continue to play through adversity,” Stewart said. “We don’t want to be a team that’s like a rollercoaster. We don’t want to be high when it’s high and low when it’s low. We want to be pretty steady, and that’s something that we continue to build towards. We are a really connected group, and that communication is only getting better.”
The two-time MVP is fighting through an offensive slump. Stewart has not shot better than 40% from the field in any of the past four games and made a season-low three field goals against the Sun.
Jones will be essential to the Liberty’s chances. The six-time WNBA All-Star has collected double-doubles in three consecutive games and ranks fifth in the WNBA in rebounding, averaging 9.4 per game.
The Sky (13-22) snapped their three-game losing streak with an 82-80 win over the Seattle Storm on Sunday afternoon. It has been a difficult season for the Sky, but the win served as a welcome reward at the end of their three-game road trip.
“Our players earned this win,” said Sky head coach Tyler Marsh. “It’s been a long road trip, tough road trip for us. So to come away with the win going home has been great.”
Kamilla Cardoso, ninth in the WNBA at 8.7 rebounds per game, will match up against Jones at center. Cardoso posted 22 points and 12 rebounds against Seattle.
The Sky will also count on former Liberty guard Courtney Vandersloot, who played a season-high 30 minutes on Sunday and had 15 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals. “Sloot” needs just 27 assists to join Sue Bird as the only WNBA players to reach the 3,000-assist mark.
New York hopes to have Sabrina Ionescu back in time for Tuesday. Head coach Chris DeMarco said Ionescu is day-to-day following a recent lower leg injury against the Los Angeles Sparks.
–Field Level Media
