Liberty Stifle Sky Despite Angel Reese Double-Double

Angel Reese's double-double streak continued but so did the New York Liberty's stance atop the WNBA leaderboard.

Brandon Todd, NY Liberty

BROOKLYN-Death, taxes, Angel Reese landing a double-double ... but New York Liberty point guard Sabrina Ionescu was more than happy to add to the list of life's certainties on Thursday night.

Reese earned her customary double-double for the Chicago Sky, but her 14th in a row was no match for a dominant Liberty second half, which secured a 91-76 victory at Barclays Center. Ionescu scored 21 points, all but two over the latter 20, while Jonquel Jones had 18 points with 13 rebounds.

Familiarity further reigned in the Liberty's outside shooting ledger: whereas they sank only three in Wednesday's win over Connecticut, the Liberty hit 13 from beyond the arc to sink the Sky. All but one came from the arms of Ionescu, Leonie Fiebich, or Kayla Thornton.

"I was getting good looks at the basket, they were just long. It's about adjusting my shot in-game, trusting in my shooting ability, continuing to get good looks and getting my teammates open," Ionescu said after starting 1-of-8 before finishing 6-of-9. "I know they're going to go in if I can continue to get to my stops. I kind of hung my head at halftime and then came back to start the third with the understanding that I have to get the ball in the basket to get this team to win."

The rookie Fiebich was in the starting lineup in place of Betniah Laney-Hamilton, who missed her second straight game with a knee ailment.

New York (19-4) trailed Chicago by as much as 13 in the opening period, done in during the early going by Marina Mabrey's prowess from deep. The Liberty narrowed the gap to two by halftime and doubled up Chicago 28-14 in the final period to seal the deal.

Faced with the potential of a first-round playoff series in Brooklyn, Chicago (9-13) had played the Liberty well all season: to date, the Sky is the only team to defeat the Liberty at home and they previously posted a 48-point preseason victory at the start of the season.

But the Liberty shut most of Chicago's shooting lanes down, forcing it to rely heavily on the rookie antics of Reese and Kamilla Cardoso in the interior. All but 22 of Chicago's points were scored in the paint while Sky shooters beyond Mabrey were 0-of-5 from three.

Brandon Todd, NY Liberty

"She's a great player, but we left her open, didn't execute the scout," Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello, who passed Michael Cooper for sixth all-time on the WNBA coaching wins list with her 231st, said. "(Later) we kept size on her. I think Kayla Thornton did a fantastic job on her. It's just staying skin-on-skin. When we did switch, we just made it hard for her."

Chicago was well-regarded for its rebounding and physicality, but the Liberty kept the former battle close and won the free throw effort, outscoring the Sky 18-4 at the line.

"They're the type of the team you want to be physical (with) at the beginning of the game, not allow them to kind of bring it to you and then you're on your backfoot," Jones said. "We came in with that toughness, understanding that their M.O., to try to muck the game up a little bit, try to make it messy. We understood that coming in."

The rookie sensation Reese extended her WNBA record with her 15th consecutive double-double but it took her until her literal last minute, grabbing her 10th rebound on an Isabella Harrison shot that missed the rim shortly before head coach and Liberty legend Teresa Weatherspoon emptied her bench.

"We wanted to show her a crowd, obviously. She's a great offensive rebounder," Stewart said of the near-shutdown. " We will try to make sure that it's even less (in the next meeting) but showing her a crowd, making her have to shoot over multiple defenders (was big). JJ was a force in the paint, always kind of contesting or deterring a lot of shots of hers."

Brandon Todd, NY Liberty

Harrison matched Reese in the serendipitous double-double department, getting a dozen points and rebounds in relief. Chennedy Carter led the way with 22 points for Chicago overall.

Reese's double-double streak and the Liberty's comeback victory completely satisfied a record crowd gathered at Barclays Center: consisting of the seafoam faithful and Reese's devout following, 17,758 took in Thursday's game, a new Brooklyn-high for a Liberty game.

The Liberty won't have to wait long to face the Sky again, as they head to the Windy City over the weekend for a Saturday matinee at Wintrust Arena (1 p.m. ET, ABC).

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