Liberty vs Wings preview: Can New York keep momentum?
The Liberty host the Wings at Barclays Center on July 7 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, with both teams 13-8 and battling for the fourth seed. Stewart's Liberty chase momentum after beating Minnesota, while Bueckers and Shepard lead Dallas—before Kamilla Cardoso's Sky face Phoenix at 10 p.m. ET. The matchup caps a busy night across the league, and the stakes are real for two top-five contenders.
Key Takeaways
- Both the Liberty and Wings entered Tuesday tied at 13-8, with New York chasing seeding leverage at home.
- Breanna Stewart scored 36 points against Minnesota, including 16 in the first quarter, after the Liberty held Lynx stars to a combined 8-of-26 shooting.
- Paige Bueckers entered on a historic scoring run, while Jessica Shepard averaged 11.4 rebounds per game, second in the WNBA.
- Covers.com listed New York as a -4.5 home favorite with a 175.5 total on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET.
- Later Tuesday, Kamilla Cardoso's Chicago Sky face Phoenix at 10 p.m. ET on WCIU and Arizona's Family Sports.
Why Does This Liberty vs. Wings Game Matter?
The Liberty's 99-86 victory over the Minnesota Lynx was a snapshot of their ceiling. Breanna Stewart poured in 36 points and missed only five shots, scoring 16 in the opening quarter alone. Yahoo Sports called it the best game of the season for the Brooklyn club.
Defensively, New York held Olivia Miles and Natasha Howard to a combined 8-of-26 from the field. That same confidence faces a Dallas side riding elite individual talent, with both clubs level on record and jostling for playoff positioning.
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Who Are the Key Players to Watch?
Dallas starts with Paige Bueckers, who entered averaging 20 points and six assists on 52/39/84 shooting splits. Yahoo Sports noted she could chase a WNBA record by posting a sixth straight game with at least 20 points on 50 percent shooting or better, passing Katie Smith's five-game mark from 2003.
Jessica Shepard has been the other headline. The newly acquired forward was on triple-double watch, averaging 11.4 rebounds per game—second in the league—and set for her All-Star debut. Arike Ogunbowale and rookie Azzi Fudd round out a Wings offense that scored 121.1 points per 100 possessions with Bueckers on the floor.
New York's path runs through Stewart, with Jonquel Jones providing interior scoring and rebounding. Sabrina Ionescu and Pauline Astier could exploit Dallas's rim-protection issues by driving and kicking to open shooters, per the Yahoo Sports preview.
What Injuries and Lineup Notes Shape the Matchup?
Satou Sabally remained out for New York under concussion protocol. Leonie Fiebich was a game-time decision with left foot soreness, though Covers.com listed her as questionable alongside Sabally's absence.
Dallas reported a clean injury sheet. That health edge matters against a Liberty frontcourt already thinned up front, potentially pushing more usage toward Stewart, who already led the team in minutes, shot attempts, and usage percentage.
How Can You Watch the Full WNBA Slate on July 7?
Liberty vs. Wings tips at 8 p.m. ET from Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Yahoo Sports listed ESPN and FuboTV as viewing options. Covers.com confirmed an 8 p.m. ET start on ESPN.
Two hours later, the Chicago Sky visit the Phoenix Mercury at Mortgage Matchup Center. Per USA Today, that 10 p.m. ET tip airs on WCIU (The U) and Arizona's Family Sports, with streaming on those same outlets—putting Kamilla Cardoso on the late national window after the Brooklyn headliner.
What Do the Betting Markets Expect?
Covers.com framed the game as a premier top-five WNBA matchup. The site favored New York to avenge a 15-point loss to Dallas earlier in the season, listing the Liberty at -4.5 and -180 on the moneyline, with Dallas at +4.5 and +150. The total sat at 175.5.
Featured picks included Breanna Stewart over 31.5 points, rebounds, and assists, Sabrina Ionescu over 23.5 P/R/A, the Liberty moneyline, and Paige Bueckers over 21.5 points—making the Brooklyn tip a betting centerpiece before Kamilla Cardoso's Sky take the floor in Phoenix.