Liberty forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton to make Unrivaled debut

Liberty star Betnijah Laney-Hamilton is set to make her Unrivaled debut Tuesday night and expected to square up against a familiar face. 

Laney-Hamilton signed a relief player contract this week with the Laces, who have been plagued by injuries. She’ll suit up Tuesday night when the Laces play Sabrina Ionescu’s Phantom at 8:45 p.m. on TNT. 

Laney-Hamilton will remain in the league’s reserve player pool for the remainder of the season, meaning she could be called to play for other teams when rostered players aren’t available.

The Laces, coached by new Liberty assistant coach Andrew Wade, are one of the teams that have been especially hit hard by injuries. 

Alyssa Thomas and Jackie Young have both suffered knee injuries this season. Thomas has been out since Jan. 24, but Young recently returned to the team and played in the Laces last two games, but is questionable for Tuesday’s game with a lower-body injury. 

Tiffany Hayes and Kate Martin also won’t play Tuesday. 

Hayes remains in concussion protocol, and Martin is listed on the team’s availability report as “out” with a left leg injury. 

Meanwhile, Kayla McBride is questionable with a left leg injury. 

With at least three of the five players unavailable for Tuesday’s game, Laney-Hamilton got the call-up. She’ll be joined by Natisha Hiedeman and potentially Kiki Jefferson, who are both in Unrivaled’s relief player pool. 

Laney-Hamilton, 30, is coming off her ninth WNBA season and fourth with the Liberty. She helped New York capture its first professional basketball title in more than 50 years, averaging 11.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 28 games.