The New York Liberty return home to Barclays Center on Thursday night to host the Washington Mystics. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM ET as New York tries to secure a better playoff position. Washington enters with a 16-22 record while the Liberty sit at 23-15.
New York has won both prior meetings this season, each played in Washington. The Liberty are 15-5 at home, while the Mystics are just 6-12 on the road. Washington also comes into this matchup on a four-game losing streak, including a two-point home loss to Seattle last weekend.
Liberty Preview – Getting Healthy at the Right Time?
The Liberty have dealt with injury issues all season but are beginning to get key players back. Breanna Stewart recently returned after missing 13 games, and Jonquel Jones is also back in the lineup. Sabrina Ionescu played Monday after sitting out with a foot injury.
Even with those returns, New York is still not at full strength. Isabelle Harrison and Nyara Sabally remain out, while Leonie Fiebich is playing with a hand injury. Natasha Cloud also sat out the last game with a broken nose but is expected back against Washington.
When healthy, New York has been one of the most efficient defensive teams in the league. Their defensive rating slipped during Stewart’s absence but should improve now with her and Jones back on the floor. Playing at home with more depth should help the Liberty get back on track.
Mystics Preview – Searching for a Turnaround
Washington sits in fourth place in the East but is still outside of playoff position with only a few games left. The Mystics have dropped four straight, most recently falling 84-82 to Seattle. Their struggles on the road have also been a concern, with only six wins away from home.
Center Shakira Austin has been a bright spot, scoring a career-high 30 points against Seattle. She shot 10-for-15 from the field and was perfect from the free throw line. Austin is averaging 13.1 points and 6.4 rebounds this season while continuing to recover from her hip surgery in 2023.
Washington has also leaned on rookies and role players like Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen to fill minutes. Guard Georgia Amoore is out for the season, leaving the backcourt thinner. For the Mystics to compete in Brooklyn, Austin will need another strong outing and the defense must slow down New York’s frontcourt.
Betting Prediction
The Liberty are favored and the spread should reflect their strong home record. New York has beaten Washington by an average of 15 points in their two wins this season. With Stewart and Jones back in action, their size advantage will be difficult for Washington to handle.
Washington has been competitive in some games but has not finished well during their losing streak. The Mystics will rely heavily on Austin, but New York’s frontcourt depth should overwhelm them. Expect the Liberty to cover at home and keep Washington’s playoff hopes fading. Predicted score: Liberty 87, Mystics 76.
Pick: Liberty -7.5
