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Power Rankings

ScarletteK80

Heisman Winner
Mar 4, 2003
14,900
3,894
113
3. New York Liberty
2021: 4-1
Previous ranking: 4

New York is playing what some (OK, all) might call amazing basketball and shooting incredibly well. Beating a strong Chicago team (albeit one without Candace Parker) on the road bumps up the Liberty -- who last season won just two games.

Sabrina Ionescu continues to shine, dropping 19 points, including five buckets from beyond the arc, and 12 assists. Ionescu's hot hand, as well as Betnijah Laney's 20 points, helped New York tie a franchise record with 14 3-pointers against the Sky on Sunday. After shooting a WNBA-worst 27.7% from beyond the arc in 2020, the Liberty are shooting a league-best 44.4% from long range this season and have made a league-leading 59 3-pointers.

The Liberty continue to have a balanced offense, with four players averaging double-digit scoring -- including Natasha Howard, who made her debut Sunday after finishing her overseas commitments. New York also has been locking down on defense. In its four wins, which include two victories over 1-4 Indiana, the Liberty have held their opponents to an average of 78 points.

If the Liberty continue to work toward better communication -- they had 22 turnovers on Sunday -- they could continue to rise in the rankings.
 
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