The Connecticut Sun head to Barclays Center on Sunday evening to face the New York Liberty in a 6:00 PM EDT Eastern Conference showdown, airing on NBCS-BOS and YES Network. Tickets start as low as $29, offering Brooklyn fans a chance to catch this heated rivalry. The Liberty, with a 22-14 record, are 10.5-point home favorites with an over/under of 161.5 points, coming off a strong 92-77 win over Chicago. The Sun, struggling at 7-27, are riding a rare two-game win streak after an 80-69 upset over Washington. With New York leading the season series 3-1, this game is a chance for the Sun to play spoiler.
Position-by-Position Breakdown
Point Guard – Saniya Rivers runs the Sun’s offense with 6.2 assists and 10.3 points, bringing speed but facing a tough test. Sabrina Ionescu leads the Liberty with 19.2 points and 6.3 assists, a triple-double threat who dropped 24 points in their last meeting.
Shooting Guard – Marina Mabrey is Connecticut’s scoring spark, averaging 14.8 points and coming off a 27-point outburst against Indiana. Courtney Vandersloot counters for New York with 6.8 assists and veteran savvy, setting the tone defensively.
Small Forward – Bria Hartley gives the Sun energy with 7.6 points, but she’ll need to step up against elite wings. Breanna Stewart, New York’s MVP, dominates with 20.8 points and 9.0 rebounds, a matchup nightmare fresh off a 22-point, 10-rebound game.
Power Forward – Olivia Nelson-Ododa anchors Connecticut with 8.7 points and 5.4 rebounds, battling hard in the paint. Jonquel Jones powers the Liberty with 15.4 points and 8.6 rebounds, a two-way force who had 21 points in their last win over the Sun.
Center – Tina Charles leads the Sun with 16.1 points and 8.3 rebounds, a veteran star still making an impact. Kayla Thornton rounds out New York’s lineup with 6.1 points and defensive hustle, tasked with slowing Charles.
Game Outlook
The Liberty are firing on all cylinders, ranking second in offense (86.4 PPG) and defense (81.7 PPG allowed), with a 15-2 home record at Barclays Center. They’ve dominated the Sun this season, winning three of four matchups, including an 87-78 victory on August 3, led by Ionescu’s 36 points. Connecticut, despite their league-worst 7-27 record, has shown fight with back-to-back wins, but their 12th-ranked offense (75.3 PPG) struggles against New York’s elite defense. Both teams play at a moderate pace, with the Liberty slightly faster (sixth in the league). The Sun’s recent upsets show potential, but New York’s depth and star power should overwhelm them at home.
Best Bets
- New York Liberty -10.5 – The Liberty’s home dominance and 3-1 series lead make them a strong pick to cover against a struggling Sun team.
- Under 161.5 Total Points – Connecticut’s weak offense and New York’s top-tier defense suggest a game that could stay under this total.
- Breanna Stewart Over 20.5 Points – Stewart’s cleared this mark in 15 of her last 20 games and should thrive against Connecticut’s 11th-ranked defense.
Final Score Prediction
New York Liberty 88 – Connecticut Sun 75
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