New York Liberty playoff hopes fading with latest losing streak

The New York Liberty needs to gain a lot of ground in the playoff race in a small amount of time as the team suffers through another losing streak.

A five-game losing streak and a below .500 record of 8-15 in August isn’t the ideal position head coach Katie Smith and the New York Liberty hoped to be in after playing well heading into the All-Star break. The Liberty’s fading playoff chances took another hit this past Sunday playing a home game at the Barclays Center. The Brooklyn Nets home arena wasn’t enough against the defending champion Seattle Storm.

The Storm’s 84-69 victory was a result of many Liberty turnovers in the game leading to easy baskets. The Liberty committed 18 turnovers and only had two players finish in double figures scoring only 24 points total in the second half.

Smith’s team has dealt with losing streaks since last season, and this latest one may cost them another trip to the playoffs. The second-year coach addressed her thoughts with Empire Writes Back on the team’s most recent defeat with optimism but plenty of frustration.

"“We have to start the third quarter better on defense and offensively we have to stop turning the ball over. We dug ourselves in a hole in the second half. We knew they would amp up the pressure and fly around, which lead us to turn over the ball in the second half. We told them at half time that they would come out crashing the boards and getting up on defense, but if you handle the double and get the ball out, you’ll find opportunities to score.”"

The Liberty continues to be led by All-Star Tina Charles who once again proceeds as the team’s top scorer. Charles has been a consistent force for a number of years in New York, but as the losses pile up she has tried to keep the team’s energy positive.

"“We always stay together at the end of the day, said Charles after the game, so we have to limit turnovers that is the biggest thing for us. Everyone has to carry their load.”"

The Liberty are at a critical point in the season in which they need to rally off a streak of wins to make things close towards the end of the season.

September is right around the corner and injuries to talented players like Asia Durr, and Amanda Zahui B. has New York’s postseason plans looking very bleak.