Liberty brace for busy stretch, beginning with Dream

After a wild 18-point comeback victory against the Seattle Storm on Tuesday, the Liberty began the first half of a back-to-back against the Atlanta Dream Thursday night. Friday’s game against the Minnesota Lynx will be the first time the Liberty play on two consecutive days.

The Lynx matchup is a rescheduled game from the June 7 showdown that was postponed due to the air quality issues in New York City caused by wildfires in Canada. The make-up game throws a wrench in the Liberty’s schedule since it’ll take away an off-day before the team is set to travel across the country for two games in Los Angeles.

But the squad isn’t making any excuses.

“Just take one game at a time. Get your rest where you can,” head coach Sandy Brondello said before tip-off against the Dream. “It’s mind over matter right now, isn’t it?”

The Dream come into the Barclays Center with a 7-2 record in July (both losses to the Connecticut Sun) and a blank injury report. Guard Aari McDonald, the third overall pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft, will play in her first game against the Liberty this season after missing the previous three matchups.

“Keep her in front somehow,” Brondello said on how to slow down the 5-6 guard.

“They like to get out and run in transition so it really starts with our execution on the offensive end,” Brondello noted about the team’s overall approach.

The saving grace for Brondello’s team during this tough stretch is that the Lynx will be without MVP candidate Naphessa Collier and guard Rachel Banham. Collier, who is averaging 21.8 points and 7.9 rebounds, is dealing with a right ankle injury, while Banham is nursing an injured right thumb. They are big losses for the Lynx, who are hanging on to the seventh seed for a potential postseason berth.

But for the Liberty, the DNPs provide an easier matchup before they head out West. After playing two games in Los Angeles on July 30 and Aug. 1, the Libs will head to Minnesota for another matchup on Aug. 4. Then they’ll come back home for two games against the Las Vegas Aces and Chicago Sky.

“We’re not gonna use it as an excuse because at the end of the day no one cares,” star Sabrina Ionescu said about the four games in six days. “If we lose it’s not because we’re tired, that’s not going to be a reason to point fingers. It’s just how the schedule is. It’s how the league is.

“We’re gonna have to find a way to win even though we’re tired or fatigued. We’re not gonna let that be an excuse because we can slow the game down and understand what we need to get to and take care of the ball.”

Mercury star Brittney Griner is the recipient of the WNBA Cares Community Assist Award for the month of June, the league announced Thursday. A press statement noted “the award honors Griner’s efforts in championing the safe return of wrongful detainees overseas and continued contributions to help marginalized communities in the Phoenix area.”

“I’m grateful to receive the community assist award and even happier to be able to donate the award money to causes that mean a great deal to me: Phoenix Rescue Mission, my partner in my annual shoe drive, and Bring Our Families Home, an organization close to my heart that is advocating for the safe return of American hostages abroad,” said Griner.

“Thank you to all the fans in Phoenix and league-wide who joined me in supporting these causes by donating shoes or writing letters. My commitment will continue to be helping those who are struggling and shining a light on wrongfully detained Americans who should be home with their families.”

Griner has helped the Mercury collect over 100 letters to those detained. The letters include words of encouragement. Others also call on elected officials to continue to work to bring individuals home.

In recognition of Griner’s efforts, the WNBA will make a $2,500 donation to Bring Our Families Home and a $2,500 donation to Phoenix Rescue Mission.