The New York Liberty have high hopes due to the addition of two MVPs and one of the WNBA’s greatest point guards.
The Washington Mystics, on the other hand, hope that a healthy Elena Delle Donne will help them win the championship.
Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Courtney Vandersloot make their Liberty debuts against Delle Donne and the Mystics on Friday night.
New York is an original WNBA franchise that hasn’t won a championship since 2002. However, the Liberty made a significant splash in the offseason following first-round playoff exits in each of the previous two seasons.
A double cross WNBA champion and 2018 MVP, Stewart endorsed with New York in the wake of averaging 20.3 focuses and 8.6 bounce back in six seasons with Seattle. Following Vandersloot, Chicago’s 2021 champion and the league’s all-time leader in assists average (6.6), Vandersloot was a four-time All-Star. New York likewise exchanged for Jones, the 2021 MVP who found the middle value of 13.6 places and 8.3 bounce back, while two times averaging a twofold, during six seasons with Connecticut.
Additionally, Sabrina Ionescu, an All-Star who averaged 15.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists over her first three seasons, was already a star for the Liberty.
“The ultimate goal is to win a championship,” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello stated.
“(In any case, we don’t bring home titles in the preseason. … Therefore, prevail. We must show up to work and improve.”
Washington brought home a WNBA championship in 2019, however hasn’t dominated a season finisher match since. In 2022, the Mystics went 22-14, including an 18-7 record when Delle Donne, a two-time MVP, was in the lineup.
Since 2019, her back problems have limited her to just 30 games during the regular season and playoffs. However, she intends to participate in every game this season.
“Thump on each piece of wood I can, be that as it may, no, we’re not going in with any limitations (on Delle Donne),” said Eric Thibault, who assumes control above training obligations from his dad, Mike.
Veterans Natasha Cloud and Ariel Atkins will likewise be depended on to deliver for a Washington crew that desires to push the speed subsequent to averaging 80.2 focuses last season. In ’22, the Mystics allowed a league-low 75.9 points.
