New York Liberty Beats Atlanta; Clinches Playoff Spot

The New York Liberty secured a spot in the WNBA Playoffs Friday night, but they reached that milestone even before they won that night's home game against Atlanta. (The Liberty won that game versus the expansion Atlanta Dream, 82-71.)

During that contest the scoreboard announced that the Liberty had earned the berth by virtue of Connecticut beating Chicago, allowing New York to wrap up one of the four Eastern Conference playoff positions. The Liberty are currently in third place and would face second-place Detroit if the playoffs were to begin today.

The Liberty have now made the playoffs for the ninth time in their 12 WNBA seasons. Ironically, they will end their regular season on Sunday, Sept. 14th at Madison Square Garden versus Detroit.