Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the WNBA daily as we try to heal from this pandemic.
Sami Whitcomb led the New York Liberty to victory over the Dallas WIngs.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Catalina Fragoso/Getty Images.)
In the offseason, the New York Liberty acquired Natasha Howard from the Seattle Storm. At least, Howard was the centerpiece of that deal for the Liberty. Sami Whitcomb was also in that deal.
Howard had been hurt for all but two games for the Liberty. But it turns out Whitcomb has been a boon for the Liberty.
Rightfully so that Betnijah Laney and Sabrina Ionescu grab all the headlines. Even though Ionescu has been hurt (but is getting healthy), she’s proven what she could do even in a small sample size. Laney has been, more or less, a consistent scoring machine and leads the team in scoring.
But Whitcomb has been big for the Liberty as of late. And against Dallas, she proved her worth. She made two clutch baskets to keep the Liberty ahead and eventually win the game. She scored 26 points (6 three-pointers) to lead the Liberty and help put them over .500. New York has won three of the last four.
Her defense and perimeter shooting have been a key to New York. She’s currently the second-leading scorer in the team with 12.6 points per. Whitcomb is 5th in three-point percentage at .457 and leads the league in three-pointers made with 53.
So yes, while Natasha Howard was the key piece that the Liberty wanted, it’s Sami Whitcomb that has been doing a lot more damage. Sure, Howard isn’t healthy right now and she could very well be awesome when she comes back but Sami is helping hold down the fort as New York continues to do their best to be a postseason team this season.
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July 5, 2021
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NO LOOK DISH 🧐 @mmabrey1
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— WNBA (@WNBA) July 6, 2021
That’s a tasty dish from Marina Mabrey.
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the WNBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.
R.I.P. Nala.