NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
At the beginning of the WNBA season, there were two teams that people assumed would win the WNBA Championship. One of them was the New York Liberty. The other was the Las Vegas Aces. After all, the teams have won the last four championships. The Minnesota Lynx were expected to do well, but took a step back after losing their MVP. We come into tonight’s game with Liberty looking anything but a championship contender, and their challenger, the Wings, looking like they could be one.
The Liberty are one of those teams that has a lot of stars, but things just aren’t going very well this season. Let’s start with the good: Breanna Stewart is still one of the best players in the league, dominating at 20.4 points per game. They won when it mattered most (so far), taking the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup. It looks like Sabrina Ionescu is finally getting her groove back. However, outside of the Cup, they are just 2-7 in their last nine games.
New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) takes a shot in the third quarter against the Atlanta Dream at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images (Images by Wendell Cruz-Imagn)
Maybe this is just a matter of Liberty knowing they need to make the playoffs and then do damage. They have shown signs of being streaky all season. They had an eight-game winning streak, but as mentioned, they’ve had problems as well. Like most teams, they have had to deal with injuries, and that can be a problem in achieving a consistent lineup. I think ultimately the Liberty will be fine, but they probably need a walk-through pretty soon.
I won’t break my arm patting myself on the back, but of all the WNBA teams, I picked the Wings to take the biggest step forward this season. They had two players that were added to the roster and I thought they would have a big impact. The first is Azzi Fudd, the number one pick in last year’s draft. I know, it’s a great idea, saying that the first choice would be useful. After seeming a little timid at the beginning of the year, she is now shooting much better and playing better as well. She is third on her team in shot attempts, and I think that helps give teammate Paige Bueckers some options for another threat on the court with her.
Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd (35) dribbles up the court against the Las Vegas Aces during the game on May 3, 2026, at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. (Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The other person I expected to make an impact was Alanna Smith. He will not be available for tonight’s game and has played in 20 of his 24 games. He has also started just seven games for the Wings. She is not having the impact she expected. She is a 3-and-D player and was co-Defensive Player of the Year last year. The Wings had a lot of problems on defense last year and I thought she would help turn around that part of the game.
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS
On the year, the Wings are still allowing 85 points per game, which is better than last season, but not great. The Liberty aren’t much better at 84 points per game. Dallas is also playing its best basketball, having won five straight games. They have brought their record to 16-8 for the season and look like they will make the postseason.
New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) celebrates after a basket during the second half of a WNBA basketball second-round playoff game against the Las Vegas Aces, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pak Gazette APP
Tonight I’m going to try the Liberty. This game is a bit of a stretch, but the Liberty have lost their first two games to the Wings this season and are now on the verge of being swept for the season. I also like that the Liberty lost to the Wings just a few days ago. I know Dallas is playing better basketball, but I think pride comes out a little here and New York wins. Give them to me at +105.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
For more information on sports betting and gambling, follow David on X/Twitter: @futuroprez2024
