After enduring their first loss of the season, the Liberty are aware that they might face some criticism.
On Monday, they continued their routine with a 30-minute movie session. Manager Sandy Brondello acknowledged his struggle to let go of the 102 points scored against the Heat. Breanna Stewart commented that their defensive struggles stemmed from “overcomplicating things” and some “miscommunication” during the game.
Fortunately, they have a quick chance to regroup, facing the newly revamped Dreams on Tuesday.
In their last game, the Liberty gave up 17 three-pointers out of 14 attempts, with seven of those coming from Kate Rinklerk. They shot 48% beyond the arc.
The Dream are known for their three-point shooting, averaging 10.2 a game, which is second only to the Liberty’s 11.
Two Atlanta starters are in the WNBA’s top 10 for three-pointers made per game. Rhyne Howard sits at No. 2 with an average of 3.3, while Alisha Gray ranks seventh with 2.5 points per game. Additionally, Atlanta boasts a 36.1% scoring rate from three-point attempts, placing third in the league.
“They’re really similar teams in style,” Sabrina Ionescu mentioned after practice on Monday. “Both have strong shooters and play well together, so this will definitely be a solid test for us… they attack from all angles, just like Indy.”
Atlanta (8-3) has scored at least 18 points in each of their last three games, maintaining strong defensive performances against teams like the Lynx, who average 84.6 points per game, holding them to just 1.3 points.
This tough approach can be seen in Atlanta’s offseason moves, including acquiring All-Star players like Phoenix’s Britney Griner and Connecticut’s Brionna Jones.
Their strong presence in the paint contributes to the Dream leading the league with an impressive average of 38.6 rebounds per game.
“I think this is a bigger challenge,” Stewart remarked. “They really focus on contested three-pointers, and with BG and Bri Jones involved, it makes it tricky.”
The Liberty reminded the Heat that they were short on defensive support without the likes of Jonquel Jones and Leonie Fevich.
Fortunately, Jones is set to return on Tuesday after recovering from a right ankle sprain. Her presence is crucial for the Liberty’s defense, and Stewart noted she was ready to get “down and dirty” with the opposition.
Liberty is currently leading the league defensively, holding a rating of 91.3, and they face upcoming challenges ahead of them, including the Fever and Dreams.
“It’s all manageable,” Ionescu reflected. “Mental errors happen, and when we’re out of position, those can be corrected. I feel optimistic—no one’s feeling defeated.”
