Recap: Storm toppled Liberty at MSG

In front of a New York, brunch-time crowd, Tina Charles was as consistent as ever with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Unlike in recent games, however, a few of her teammates joined her solid production efforts: Kia Nurse, with 20 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal, and Amanda Zahui B with 17 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double.

The Liberty, as a team, out-rebounded the Storm 42-39, showing some defensive muscle. But these efforts were not enough against a Storm team insistent on staying tops in the standings and, apparently, trying to remain the only team with single-digit losses for the season.

For starters, Breanna Stewart seems insistent that she alone deserves the season MVP trophy, proving by filling up the state sheet with 32 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 block.

Most Improved Player contender Natasha Howard scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for a double-double. Jewell Loyd contributed 17 points and Sue Bird added 10, with Bird and Loyd also dishing 7 assists apiece and Bird getting away with 4 steals.

With multiple players impacting all aspects of the game for Seattle, the Liberty just didn’t have enough to contend for the win, especially late in the game. Similar to what happened against the Indiana Fever on Saturday, the Liberty lost the fourth quarter by 15 points.

Final score: Seattle Storm (96) at New York Liberty (80)