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New York Liberty (14-5, 8-3 Eastern Conference) at Washington Mystics (11-9, 6-7 Eastern Conference)

Washington; Friday, 7 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: New York takes on the Washington Mystics after Breanna Stewart scored 25 points in the Liberty’s 98-88 loss to the Dallas Wings.

Catherine Engelbert, commissioner of the WNBA, speaks at a news conference before basketball's WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday, July 15, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

As the WNBA tips off the second half of its season, add expansion to the list of topics on the minds of players and the league.

Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston (7) looks to shoot over New York Liberty forward Jonquel Jones (35) in the second half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Wednesday, July 12, 2023. The Liberty defeated the Fever 95-87 in overtime. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Aliyah Boston just wanted to fit in as a WNBA rookie. Instead, her historic season has brought renewed hope and some desperately needed change to the Indiana Fever.

FILE - Las Vegas Aces' A'ja Wilson holds up the championship trophy as she celebrates with teammates after their win in the WNBA basketball finals against the Connecticut Sun, Sept. 18, 2022, in Uncasville, Conn. The Las Vegas Aces are having a historic season so far, but anything short of repeating as WNBA champions would be seen as a failure. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)

The Las Vegas Aces are on a historic pace heading into the second half of the season. With 19 wins in their first 21 games, the Aces sit atop the WNBA standings and have the top offense and defense in the league.

Phoenix Mercury's Brittney Griner, of Team Stewart, center, reacts as she is introduced before a WNBA All-Star basketball game Saturday, July 15, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Brittney Griner scored 18 points, including two dunks, in her return to the All-Star Game to lead Team Stewart to a 143-127 win over Team Wilson.

The Mystics are 6-7 in Eastern Conference games. Washington ranks sixth in the Eastern Conference in rebounding averaging 33.4 rebounds. Tianna Hawkins paces the Mystics with 5.1 boards.

The Liberty are 8-3 against conference opponents. New York leads the Eastern Conference scoring 87.8 points per game while shooting 45.5%.

The teams meet for the third time this season. The Liberty won 89-88 in the last matchup on June 25.

TOP PERFORMERS: Brittney Sykes is averaging 12.9 points, 3.7 assists and two steals for the Mystics. Ariel Atkins is averaging 13.5 points over the last 10 games for Washington.

Stewart is averaging 23.2 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.6 steals for the Liberty. Sabrina Ionescu is averaging 3.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for New York.

LAST 10 GAMES: Mystics: 5-5, averaging 86.4 points, 31.9 rebounds, 19.3 assists, 7.2 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 47.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 83.4 points per game.

Liberty: 8-2, averaging 90.1 points, 37.5 rebounds, 24.6 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 45.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 84.0 points.

INJURIES: Mystics: Shakira Austin: out (hip), Elena Delle Donne: out (ankle), Kristi Toliver: out (plantar fasciitis), Ariel Atkins: out (ankle).

Liberty: None listed.