FINAL: @LVAces: 78 – @nyliberty: 63@kaymac_2123: 16 PTS, 4 AST@tinacharles31: 19 PTS pic.twitter.com/fHikQ62s65
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 14, 2018
The New York Liberty finally partook in a blowout, albeit in a losing effort, as Bill Laimbeer took it to his former team.
Granted a full roster for the first time this season, the New York Liberty finally partook in a game that didn’t go down to the wire. The only problem was that they were on the wrong side of things when the game ended.
With former New York head coach Bill Laimbeer and his Las Vegas Aces in the building, the Liberty wasted a hot start from Tina Charles, allowing ex-Liberty Bill Laimbeer head coach to leave Westchester County Center with a 78-63 victory on Wednesday night.
Dearica Hamby came off the bench to score 17 for Vegas (3-7), who led by as much as 24 in the fourth quarter.
3rd Star: Kia Vaughn
The Liberty (3-5) struggled in pretty much all aspects of the game, but saw some solid interior work from Vaughn, who earned seven points and four rebounds. With her playing time possibly up for debate with Kiah Stokes coming back, it was important for her to display an interior prescience.
.@MarissaC_25 ➡️ @tinacharles31 ?? #WatchMeWork pic.twitter.com/sHuycqbeUD
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 13, 2018
2nd Star: Marissa Coleman
Coleman followed up her heroics from Sunday, sinking the game-winning triple to beat the Indiana Fever, with a solid performance on Wednesday. She partook in Charles’ early dominance, dishing her early assists, and concluded the night with six points, five assists and rebounds each, as well as a steal.
Make it 1️⃣9️⃣ points for @tinacharles31! #WatchMeWork pic.twitter.com/sPA0U3PLJE
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 14, 2018
1st Star: Tina Charles
Charles remained the consistent MVP candidate, recovering from a rare off day on Sunday. She wasn’t able to keep up her torrid first-quarter pace, but still managed to lead her team with 19 points. The Liberty haven’t gotten off to the best start to the season, but if anyone can stem this bleeding, it’s Charles.
What Decided It
The Liberty got off to a solid start, with Charles putting up 11 in the first quarter alone. However, they failed to keep that pace for the remainder of the game and failed to take advantage of a Las Vegas team playing back-to-back games on the road.
They shot just 42 percent from the game, including 4-of-24 from three-point range. The nadir came in the brutal fourth quarter, which featured Shavonte Zellous getting ejected via double technical for arguing with officials.
“I’ve been in this league for a long time. I should’ve known better,” Zellous said. “I kind of let my team down on that. It’s something to learn from.”
What’s Next
The Liberty will hit the road to face a team much like themselves on Saturday night, taking on the Minnesota Lynx in a battle of talented teams desperate to overcome a tough start to the season (8:00 p.m. ET, MSG+). The teams previously squared off on May 25 in White Plains, with the Lynx taking a 78-72 decision.
