WNBA news: New York Liberty defeat Dallas Wings, Katie Smith’s first victory

WHITE PLAINS, NY - MAY 29: #31 of the New York Liberty boxes out against Azura Stevens #30 of the Dallas Wings on May 29, 2018 at Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Steve Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WHITE PLAINS, NY - MAY 29: #31 of the New York Liberty boxes out against Azura Stevens #30 of the Dallas Wings on May 29, 2018 at Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Steve Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images)
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WHITE PLAINS, NY – MAY 29: Kia Nurse #5 of the New York Liberty handles the ball against the Dallas Wings on May 29, 2018 at Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Steve Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WHITE PLAINS, NY – MAY 29: Kia Nurse #5 of the New York Liberty handles the ball against the Dallas Wings on May 29, 2018 at Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Steve Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images)

Kia Nurse is the future of this organization and she validates it every time she steps on the court.  Nurse fits perfectly into the Liberty’s identity of being a defensive team. She brings energy off the bench and covers baseline to baseline quicker than any other player on the court. Tuesday night, it was no different.  Nurse’s quick hands disrupted the flow of the Wings’ offense.  And there were a few times she was able to use her feistiness to convert steals to fast break points.

Over the span of the game, Nurse accumulated four fouls, but Smith used her down the stretch anyway. “Tina is somebody who we will always rely on heavy… their time is coming and it will come,” Smith said.  Nurse finished with 11 points.