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Tina Charles and Kia Nurse prove they deserve your votes in New York Liberty win

By Jackie Powell

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 03: The New York Liberty celebrate their 84-83 win against the Seattle Storm during their game at Alaska Airlines Arena on July 03, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. 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. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 03: The New York Liberty celebrate their 84-83 win against the Seattle Storm during their game at Alaska Airlines Arena on July 03, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. 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. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 30: Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe #4 of the New York Liberty shoots the ball against the Atlanta Dream on June 30, 2019 at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 30: Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe #4 of the New York Liberty shoots the ball against the Atlanta Dream on June 30, 2019 at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Tanisha’s tenacity and nimble Nayo brought points off the bench 

Since Amanda Zhaui B left for Eurobasket on June 20th, New York has had difficulty scoring off the bench. While shifts to the starting five and an injury are behind this, against the Seattle, New York put up 18 points on the heels of homecoming hero Tanisha Wright and Nayo-Raincock Ekunwe.

Before tipoff, Wright was honored as a member of the Seattle’s 20th season anniversary team, but her return was bittersweet. The veteran guard saw the floor for over 24 minutes and assisted her current team in outscoring her first team whenever she was on the court.

Both Wright and Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe were instrumental when New York trailed Seattle. Down 9-14 early in the first, Raincock-Ekunwe finished under the rim on a bounce pass from Wright. And at the very end of the quarter, the Canadian extended her long spider-like arms for a third chance putback, two of her eight total, which ended up tying the score until the buzzer beat.

SEATTLE, WA – JULY 3: Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe #4 of the New York Liberty rebounds the ball against the Seattle Storm on July 3, 2019 at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle, Washington. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Scott Eklund/NBAE via Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – JULY 3: Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe #4 of the New York Liberty rebounds the ball against the Seattle Storm on July 3, 2019 at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle, Washington. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Scott Eklund/NBAE via Getty Images) /

In the second quarter, the Liberty went on a 7-0 run where Wright had three assists and made a shot from beyond the arc. But her grit came on full display in the fourth when the Liberty mounted a 10-0 run on the Storm and battled back after being down by ten. With 7:56 on the clock, Wright drove the ball down into the paint, had her shot blocked by Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, lost the ball and proceeded to bat the ball away from Lewis and took the open reverse layup, narrowing the score to a 3-point Storm lead.

“Her defense is something that just amps up everybody,” Katie Smith said about Wright against the Aces on June 9th. “What she demands of herself and what she brings ultimately brings out more out of everybody else and she’s a great communicator that challenges people to do better and to start doing stuff. Again, proud of her for just staying ready. [She] will always make an impact in the game because she’s going to compete on every possession.”

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