CHICAGO — Breanna Stewart scored 24 factors, Rebekah Gardner had 15 and Emma Messemann added 14 because the New York Liberty beat the Chicago Sky 91-86 on Thursday night time.
The Liberty (27-17) begin the postseason on the highway in opposition to the No. 4 seed Phoenix Mercury on Sunday. New York is the fifth seed after closing the common season on a three-game profitable streak.
Chicago (10-34) misplaced 13 of its ultimate 15 video games to finish the season.
Sabrina Ionescu had 11 factors, 11 assists and 5 rebounds for New York. She grew to become the primary participant in franchise historical past to document 11 assists with out a turnover. Ionescu additionally had her third consecutive recreation with 9 or extra assists, tying a profession excessive.
Sky rookie Maddy Westbeld scored a career-high 25 factors — 13 within the fourth quarter. Kamilla Cardoso added 21 factors, and Rachel Banham had 13 factors and 10 assists. Angel Reese (again) didn’t play.
Stewart put New York forward 72-56 with 2:43 remaining within the third quarter. She didn’t play within the fourth quarter, ending 9 for 14 from the sphere with six rebounds and three assists.
Westbeld scored eight factors within the ultimate 1:43 of the fourth. Her 3-pointer pulled Chicago to 88-81. However Marine Johannes made a 3-pointer for New York with 39.5 seconds left for a 10-point lead.
