New York Liberty Brittany Boyd replacements: signings, Kelsey Plum trade

Yes, the good news is that the New York Liberty grabbed a needed win on the road Tuesday night, defeating the Phoenix Mercury, 69-67.

But the loss of Brittany Boyd hovered over this game, a reminder that the Liberty are in dire need of reinforcements with the lightning-quick California guard out for the season due to a torn achilles.

The Liberty committed 17 turnovers Tuesday night, repeatedly struggling in the halfcourt sets. In transition, they can use their athleticism to get baskets, and lead the WNBA in points per possession in transition so far, per Synergy.

But they are tenth in the halfcourt, and thus tenth in overall offensive efficiency so far this season.

After the game, Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer zeroed in on where the team needs to improve: “Taking care of the basketball and getting good looks. We lost Brittany Boyd for the season, it was unfortunate, she was really coming in her own. She was the person that we were counting on to really be our lead guard position. Now we got a lead guard, [Epiphanny Prince] did a very good job tonight but it’s something we’re going to have to keep working on all season long .”

Prince’s scoring helped save the day, but most of her 24 points came on offense she created for herself. Only Sugar Rodgers had more than two assists, while it was a lost night for Bria Hartley, who was scoreless with one assist in 12 minutes running the point. (And that assist came on a lovely look, but out of the wing.)

So clearly, the New York Liberty need some point guard help. This is easier said than done, given that there’s no injured reserve in the WNBA at this point in the season, though it probably happens through the logjam at small forward, where Rebecca Allen is a potential star, Cierra Burdick has impressed early on, and Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe showed a broad base of skills throughout training camp to earn a roster spot.

So how do they do it? Here are a few paths they can take.