Sky-Liberty Preview

By ALAN FERGUSON
Posted May 17 2014 1:08AM

The New York Liberty acquired one of the WNBA's marquee players in Tina Charles just before this season, and they'll have a fitting stage to showcase her talents.

The Liberty make their return to Madison Square Garden after three years in New Jersey with Saturday night's matchup against the short-handed Chicago Sky.

With Charles' eager to return to her hometown and Connecticut looking for more depth, the Sun sent the 2012 MVP to the Liberty on draft night for Kelsey Bone, Alyssa Thomas and a first-round selection in 2015.

Charles, who starred at Christ the King High School in Queens, came to New York having averaged 17.3 points and 10.8 rebounds in her four seasons in the league. She had nine points on 3-of-9 shooting and nine rebounds in her Liberty debut Friday, a 75-54 victory over her former club.

Cappie Pondexter had a team-best 17 points as New York took its first step toward returning to the postseason after ending a three-year streak in 2013 with an 11-23 finish.

"It was a great collective win," Charles said. "You don't see it a lot where you have a game where all 11 players can play."

The Liberty haven't opened with back-to-back victories since 2011 and a return to the "World's Most Famous Arena" will likely generate plenty of enthusiasm. New York was forced to play at the Prudential Center while the Garden underwent a $1 billion renovation.

"The fact that I'll be able to say when I'm retired, God willing, that I was able to play at the Garden as a part of the New York Liberty is just a blessing," Charles said.

Charles might have a chance at a better performance Saturday against a Sky team that's missing two-time defensive player of the year Sylvia Fowles and guard Epiphanny Prince. Fowles is not expected to return until next month at the earliest after undergoing arthroscopic hip surgery, and Prince is slated to miss at least two weeks due to personal reasons.

With those key players out, the Sky will likely lean on 2013 rookie of the year Elena Delle Donne in the early going. Delle Donne, who averaged 18.1 points in her first season, had a team-best 23 points in a 74-71 comeback win over Indiana in Friday's season opener.

Delle Donne scored three of her team's seven straight points to end the game, erasing a four-point deficit with 1:47 to go. The Fever led by as many as 18 in the first quarter, but were held to 25 points in the second half.

"Early in the season, teams are incorporating new players and trying to find rhythm," coach Pokey Chatman said. "You need to make sure you have the defensive intensity turned up and you're locked in."

Chicago has won six in a row over New York, including a sweep of last season's five meetings. The Sky have also claimed four straight road games in the series.

Delle Donne scores 23 to help Sky beat Liberty

By DOUG FEINBERG
Posted May 17 2014 10:56PM

NEW YORK (AP) Elena Delle Donne has always wanted to play at Madison Square Garden. She made the most of her first opportunity.

Delle Donne scored 23 points and the Sky spoiled the New York Liberty's return to MSG with a 79-65 win Saturday night.

''It's awesome. I said before I don't think you're a valid basketball player until you've played in the Garden,'' said Delle Donne, who was the WNBA rookie of the year last season. ''It was on my basketball bucket list. It's incredible to play here.''

Delle Donne said she had been to the Garden before as a fan, but that was for a ''Brittney Spears concert. A little different circumstances playing here.'' she said with a laugh.

The Liberty had played their home games the past three seasons in New Jersey while MSG underwent a $1 billion transformation. The game marked the home debut for Liberty center Tina Charles, who was acquired by the Liberty in a blockbuster draft night trade with the Connecticut Sun. The New York native had 15 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Liberty (1-1).

With the game tied at 55 entering the fourth quarter, Delle Donne's three-point play started a 15-4 run to begin the period. Courtney Vandersloot had five straight points during the game-changing burst.

The Sky have won their first two games despite missing stars Sylvia Fowles (hip) and Epiphanny Prince (personal reasons). Prince told The Associated Press that she was burned out from playing year round since leaving Rutgers after her junior year.

She said she expects to be back with the team in the next few weeks. Fowles will be out a bit longer while recovering from hip surgery.

The Sky are coming off a breakthrough season last year. They were the top seed in the Eastern Conference and made the playoffs for the first time.

''It's great to get off to a strong start and see other people step up,'' Delle Donne said.

Jessica Breland added 13 points and 11 rebounds, and Vandersloot had 12 points and eight assists for the Sky (2-0).

New York was coming off a dismal 11-23 year. With Charles on the squad, better things are expected. Coach Bill Laimbeer said before the game that he has had the entire team for practice for only one day, as Charles and Cappie Pondexter were out for the preseason while finishing their winter seasons overseas.

It definitely showed as New York seemed out of sync on offense at times.

''Literally we've had one day to practice. It's not going to take long,'' Charles said. ''We didn't have key players in training camp, including myself. We have a lot of smart veteran players. We'll be fine.''

Chicago built a 43-35 halftime lead behind a 14-6 run in the second quarter. New York rallied in the third to tie it at 55 after falling behind by 12 early in the period.

Both teams were playing their second game in two nights, winning their season openers on Friday night.

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• Sky: --
• Liberty: --

• Sky: --
• Liberty: --

• Lead Changes: 5
• Times Tied: 9

• Arena: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
• Officials: #55 Eric Brewton, #11 Lauren Holtkamp, #21 Byron Jarrett
• Attendance: 9131
• Duration: 1:58