Liberty vs Storm Picks and Prediction – 8/31/2024

The New York Liberty (26-6, 1st Eastern Conference) take on the Seattle Storm (19-11, 2nd Western Conference) on Friday, August 30, at 10:00 PM ET at Climate Pledge Arena. The Liberty are coming off a close 94-88 loss against the Los Angeles Sparks, while the Storm secured an 85-81 victory over the Atlanta Dream. Take the WNBA by storm with our WNBA picks.

The New York Liberty have been dominant this season, leading the Eastern Conference with a 26-6 record. They boast a potent offense, ranking second in the league with 86 points per game, and have been efficient from the field, shooting 44.9% overall. Breanna Stewart leads the team with 20.1 points per game, supported by Jonquel Jones, who contributes 14.9 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. The Liberty also excel in ball distribution, averaging 22.7 assists per game, which ranks second in the league. 

Defensively, New York is strong but not flawless, allowing 74.6 points per game. They have a solid interior presence, with Jones leading in rebounds and blocking 1.2 shots per game. Recent form, however, has been mixed, with losses to Connecticut and Los Angeles in the last three games, suggesting some vulnerability on the road.

The Seattle Storm, on the other hand, are fighting to solidify a position in the Western Conference, sitting second with a 19-11 record. Seattle’s offense is formidable, averaging 83 points per game, and they are especially dangerous from the free-throw line, where they lead the league at 83.3%. Jewell Loyd has been the standout player, averaging 20.4 points per game. 

Skylar Diggins-Smith and Ezi Magbegor provide additional scoring and defensive support, with Magbegor being a key defensive anchor, averaging 2.3 blocks per game. The Storm also lead the league in steals per game (9.5), which reflects an aggressive defensive approach. However, three-point shooting has been a weak point, ranking last in the league at 29.2%. 

In this matchup, the New York Liberty have the edge, but it won’t be easy. Seattle’s home-court advantage and aggressive defense could keep the game close. However, the Liberty’s balanced attack, led by Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones, should ultimately be too much for the Storm to handle. Expect a competitive game, but New York’s offensive efficiency and ability to distribute the ball will likely tip the scales in the Liberty´s favor. Final Score Prediction: New York Liberty win 84-80.