Natasha Howard returns, but Liberty still reeling

Thirty-point effort wasted in third straight loss at Minnesota

August 17, 2021 John Torenli, Sports Editor

Natasha Howard (left) made her return to action in style Sunday, but the Liberty still lost their third in a row in Minnesota. AP Photo by Eileen T. Meslar

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Natasha Howard’s long-awaited return gave the New York Liberty a different look coming out of the Olympic break last weekend in Minnesota.

But it didn’t produce a better result for Brooklyn’s slumping WNBA franchise.

Howard hit the hardwood for the first time in nearly three months Sunday night, scoring a game-high 30 points for New York in a disappointing 88-78 loss to the Lynx in front of 3,534 fans at Target Center.

Out since late May with a strained medial collateral ligament in her left knee, Howard, who was acquired by New York via Seattle in a three-team deal prior to this season, looked none the worse for wear in her return to action.

She went 13-of-22 from the field, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range, grabbed four rebounds and didn’t commit a single turnover in 30 minutes.

“(Natasha) looked great. Having not played in a game for so long, it was remarkable,” said Liberty head coach Walt Hopkins.

As good as Howard was, helping New York to a season-low 10 giveaways, the Liberty weren’t quite up to speed with their veteran power forward.

Leading 71-68 with just over seven minutes to play following a buried jumper by Howard, the Liberty got outscored 20-7 the rest of the way en route to their season high-tying third consecutive loss.

Sylvia Fowles scored 20 points and Napheesa Collier added 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Lynx (13-7), who held on to fourth place in the postseason race.

“That last five minutes, I thought our offense wasn’t great,” Hopkins lamented. “We didn’t do a great job of executing the game plan. We didn’t look awake in that first half.”

Liberty All-Star Betnijah Laney scored 12 points in New York’s post-Olympic break loss in Minnesota on Sunday. AP Photo by John Locher

Sabrina Ionescu scored 14 points and Betnijah Laney and Sami Whitcomb added 12 apiece for the Liberty (10-12), who will aim for their first win since July 5 Wednesday night when they host the defending WNBA champion Seattle Storm at Barclays Center in the opener of a two-game set.

Howard’s former team is tied for first place in the league standings with Las Vegas at 16-6.

The Liberty are clinging to the seventh of eight available playoff spots and could use at least one win against the Storm to hold off ninth-place Dallas (13-9), which is only one game behind New York.

According to Hopkins, the Liberty can’t afford another slow start after coming out of the break at less than full speed, albeit with the healthy and productive return of one of their most imporant players.

“I was proud of the way they responded (after the first half),” he intimated.

“But we have to put four quarters together. It’s a work in progress.”

The defending WNBA champion Seattle Storm will take on the Liberty Wednesday night at Downtown’s Barclays Center in the opener of a two-game series. AP Photo by Matt York

GIVE ME LIBERTY: Howard became the third Liberty player to score at least 30 points in a game this year, joining Laney and Whitcomb. … Ionescu shot 6-of-11 from the floor, handed out six assists and pulled down seven rebounds in Sunday’s loss. … After hosting Seattle here on Wednesday, the Liberty and Storm will be back at it at Barclays on Friday night. … The opening game vs. Seattle will feature the Girl Scouts of Greater New York gameday takeover, which focuses on empowering young girls and women. The Liberty will host several New York-based Girl Scout troops in VIP suites, provide giveaways including custom patches and amplify Girl Scouts leadership programming, according to a team-issued release. In May, New York CEO Keia Clarke was named a recipient of the Gold Achievement Award at the 2021 Girl Scouts of Greater New York Gala. Several Liberty players have also participated in virtual events and engaged with Girl Scouts members and staff over the past year. For tickets to the game, call 718-624-7000.