Last Updated on August 2, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The New York Liberty 2018 were led by Tina Charles, whose scoring, rebounding, and interior presence remained the foundation of the team. Kia Nurse emerged as a reliable perimeter scorer in her rookie season, while Bria Hartley and Brittany Boyd shared primary playmaking duties from the backcourt. The Liberty’s statistical profile reflected balanced ball movement and solid rebounding, but inconsistent shooting efficiency and defense limited their ability to sustain offensive success.
HeatingUp Impact Index: Team Impact Spotlight
| Player Name | Role Tier | MPG | Usage Tier | PPG | RPG | APG | STK (SPG + BPG) | Impact Index | Notes | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tina Charles | Starter/Star (1.1) | 33.0 | High (1.2) | 19.7 | 7.0 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 81.84 | Charles remained the Liberty’s offensive foundation, operating through post touches, face-up attacks, and pick-and-pop actions. Her ability to score efficiently while drawing defensive attention allowed New York to structure much of its half-court offense around her decision-making and interior presence. | All-Star (2019) |
| Brittany Boyd | Key Contributor (1.05) | 20.4 | Medium (1.1) | 6.4 | 3.9 | 5.3 | 1.3 | 36.96 | Boyd brought speed and defensive pressure as New York’s primary change-of-pace guard. Her aggressive drives and passing instincts created opportunities for teammates, though her high-risk style also placed pressure on improving decision-making and ball security. | None |
| Bria Hartley | Key Contributor (1.05) | 23.7 | Medium (1.1) | 8.5 | 2.9 | 3.6 | 1.0 | 35.42 | Hartley provided secondary playmaking and perimeter versatility, often handling the ball in lineups built around Charles. Her role required balancing scoring opportunities with creating offense, making her an important connector in the Liberty rotation. | None |
| Kia Nurse | Key Contributor (1.05) | 22.8 | Medium (1.1) | 9.1 | 2.4 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 32.45 | Nurse showed the two-way wing traits that made her an important young piece, combining perimeter shooting with defensive competitiveness. Her rookie season role expanded as New York trusted her with bigger minutes and tougher assignments. | WNBA All-Rookie Team (2018) |
| Shavonte Zellous | Key Contributor (1.05) | 24.1 | Low (1.0) | 8.2 | 3.1 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 32.13 | Zellous provided veteran stability as a versatile guard who could defend, facilitate, and attack closeouts. Her value came from making functional plays within the offense rather than dominating possessions, giving New York a reliable secondary option. | None |
| Amanda Zahui B. | Key Contributor (1.05) | 15.9 | Low (1.0) | 7.7 | 3.0 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 25.62 | Zahui B. became a useful reserve big by combining interior finishing with improved spacing ability. Her willingness to step outside and shoot added another dimension to a frontcourt that otherwise relied heavily on Charles’ scoring inside. | None |
| Sugar Rodgers | Key Contributor (1.05) | 19.6 | Low (1.0) | 6.3 | 3.2 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 25.83 | Rodgers served as a perimeter scorer and floor spacer, taking on a reduced offensive role while still providing veteran experience. Her defensive effort and willingness to create shots helped maintain balance when the Liberty needed wing production. | None |
| Kia Vaughn | Key Contributor (1.05) | 18.3 | Low (1.0) | 5.7 | 4.0 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 23.94 | Vaughn supplied dependable frontcourt minutes through efficient finishing, rebounding, and physical defense. Her role was built around complementing Charles with size and providing stability in reserve lineups. | None |
| Epiphanny Prince | Bench (1.0) | 19.1 | Low (1.0) | 8.4 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 25.20 | Prince remained a scoring-minded guard capable of creating offense from the perimeter. Limited availability affected her consistency, but her shooting range and veteran shot-making continued to give New York another offensive option. | None |
| Marissa Coleman | Key Contributor (1.05) | 18.3 | Low (1.0) | 4.7 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 18.48 | Coleman contributed as a veteran wing focused on defense, spacing, and making smart off-ball plays. Her role was less about volume scoring and more about providing dependable minutes within structured lineups. | None |
| Kiah Stokes | Bench (1.0) | 14.2 | Low (1.0) | 3.1 | 4.5 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 18.00 | Stokes continued to impact games through rebounding and rim protection rather than offensive production. Her defensive positioning and ability to contest shots remained her defining role with limited touches. | None |
| Mercedes Russell | Bench (1.0) | 16.0 | Low (1.0) | 2.5 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 13.00 | Russell saw limited action but showed flashes of interior defense and rebounding ability. Her minutes were primarily developmental as she adjusted to the pace and physical demands of the league. | None |
| Rebecca Allen | Bench (1.0) | 10.4 | Low (1.0) | 3.8 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 13.00 | Allen provided reserve wing depth with a focus on perimeter shooting and defensive versatility. Her limited role centered on spacing the floor and taking advantage of selective opportunities. | None |
| Totals | — | — | — | 94.1 | 37.1 | 22.9 | 13.6 | — | The Liberty’s 2019 regular season identity revolved around Tina Charles’ high-usage offensive role, supported by athletic guards and developing perimeter players. New York relied on Charles’ scoring gravity, Brittany Boyd’s playmaking, and a mix of veteran stability and young two-way contributors throughout the rotation. | Team Awards: None |