Records fell in New York’s 88-81 victory over Washington, during which the Liberty bench set a WNBA record with 69 points. The starters, led by Tina Charles’ 13, finished with 19 points.

Rebecca Allen (19), Brittany Boyd (17), Amanda Zahui B (15), and Shavonte Zellous (14) all scored in double-figures, going 13-16 from deep. To put New York’s historic heat check into context, the Mystics’ bench needed three overtimes to score 63 points in 2014.

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If that’s not convincing, take into count 15 teams have scored fewer than 69 points during July alone. As the Olympic break approaches, New York’s bench finding stride behind Tina Charles’ MVP-caliber season is a welcome sight in the Big Apple, and a warning to the Eastern Conference, where the Liberty rank first overall (18-7).

Despite her 15 points and nine rebounds rounding out below her season averages, Charles has been the model of consistency this season, carrying the Liberty in the paint, on the boards, and from the top of the key, where’s she typically dishing her career-best 3.7 assists. Relying on 69 bench points certainly means depending on historic outliers, but if the Liberty’s bench maintains its rhythm, New York can only stand taller over their Eastern rivals.