Detroit (2-0) won the WNBA championship in 2003 but became the first franchise in league history to fail to defend it's initial title when it lost to New York in the first round last year. Although they once again played without forward Swin Cash, the Shock jumped out to a strong start, leading 37-22 on a running layup by Chandi Jones with 1:59 left in the first half. They led 40-29 at the half.

The Liberty (0-1), who shot just 26 percent in the first half, went on 22-11 run to start the second, tying the score at 51-51 on a layup by Ann Wauters with 10:36 to play. New York never took the lead but stayed close until Detroit's Deanna Nolan made two free throws for a 72-68 lead with 34 seconds remaining. She was fouled four seconds later rebounding a missed jumper by Becky Hammon and sank two more from the stripe to seal the win.

Nolan, who became the fourth player in league history to notch a triple-double in a win over Connecticut on Saturday, scored 17 points. Ruth Riley and Elaine Powell added 10 points apiece for the Shock. Hammon scored 15 of her 24 points in the second half and Vickie Johnson chipped in 16 for the Liberty, who finished 31 percent from the field.