New York Liberty defeat Chicago Sky, 85-82, in season opener

Yesterday, the new-look New York Liberty defeated the Chicago Sky, 85-82, in their 2010 season opener at Madison Square Garden. In the offseason, the Liberty made a number of changes to revamp their team, including trading for Phoenix superstar Cappie Pondexter, hoping to compete for a championship after a disappointing 13-21 record in 2009. The Liberty are the only original WNBA team to have never won a championship, despite having won four conference titles. Photos by Avi Gerver, ©Madison Square Garden, Inc.

Cappie Pondexter, who led the Phoenix Mercury to championships in 2007 and 2009, hopes to do the same with the Liberty this year. She racked up 22 points and 8 assists in the game:

Chicago’s Shameka Christon (#20) and Cathrine Kraayeveld (#33), teammates of New York’s Essence Carson last year, were traded in 3-way deal that brought Cappie Pondexter to New York:

Cappie Pondexter huddles with her Liberty teammates:

New York’s Kia Vaughn shoots over a Chicago player:

Nicole Powell of the Liberty tries to get past Sandora Irvin and Erin Thorn of the Liberty:

The Torch Patrol and Lil’ Torches perform the halftime show:

The Sky’s Shameka Christon shoots over the Liberty’s Taj McWilliams-Franklin:

New York’s Cappie Pondexter:

Nicole Powell of the Liberty shoots over Dominique Canty of the Sky: