If the New York Liberty win their next two games, they will earn a spot in the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final on June 30.
Liberty — who is 9-4 overall and 4-0 in the Cup standings — will host Washington on Sunday afternoon. After that, the Liberty will visit Chicago on Wednesday in their final pool-play game.
On Thursday, Liberty beat the host Atlanta Dream, 104-90, in New York’s highest-scoring game since the season opener.
It was also New York’s sixth straight win as Liberty shot 54% from the field and 52% on three-pointers (16 of 31). Liberty also had a 40-24 edge against an Atlanta team that entered the game No. 1 in the nation. 1 in the WNBA in rebounding.
“We were just ready,” said Liberty guard Marine Johannes, who scored 17 points.
In fact, for the first time in franchise history, Liberty had five players score at least 16 points.
The only thing that isn’t perfect about Liberty right now is that point guard Sabrina Ionescu hasn’t played since May 24 due to a back injury, although she has been practicing lately.
Breanna Stewart leads New York in scoring (20.4), Jonquel Jones leads the team in rebounds (9.6) and rookie Pauline Astier leads the squad in assists (3.8).
Meanwhile, Washington (5-6) is 2-2 in the Commissioner’s Cup.
The Mystics beat Toronto 86-85 on Friday night on Sonia Citron’s turnaround jumper at the buzzer.
Washington won despite committing a season-high 22 turnovers, shooting just 2 of 18 on 3-pointers and playing without standout Kiki Iriafen, who has a sprained right ankle. He averaged 14.6 points and a team-high 8.9 rebounds.
The Mystics are largely a product of their nine first-round picks, including seven they have selected since 2022. Citron (third overall) and Iriafen (fourth overall) were drafted in 2025, and the former leads the team in scoring (17.1).
Then there’s 6-5 center Shakira Austin, a top contender for the WNBA’s Most Improved Player award. Austin is averaging 15.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists — all career highs.
That’s progress for the 25-year-old Austin, who finished third overall in 2022.
The Mystics’ other two first-round notes are a pair of rookies: 6-7 center Lauren Betts (fourth overall in 2026) and point guard Georgia Amoore (sixth overall in 2025).
Betts scored a season-high 18 points on Friday, making 8 of 9 shots. In Iriafen’s absence, he saw extended minutes — a season-high 21 minutes.
Amoore leads Washington in assists (3.8).
Liberty will be the more rested team on Sunday.
And, in the only game between Washington and New York so far this season, Liberty won 98-93 in overtime. Iriafen led the Mystics with 20 points and 12 rebounds, but she likely won’t be able to play on Sunday.
On the positive side for Washington, Citron is feeling better after an injury caused him to miss the game on June 2.
“My feet are fine,” Citron said. “I’m happy to be back.”
–Field Level Media
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