China's Han Xu debuts in WNBA game between Indiana and New York

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‍In the Women's National Basketball Association, Chinese center Han Xu only played 65 seconds of her league debut for the New York Liberty as they went down 81 to 80 at the home to the Indiana Fever at the Westchester County Center, in White Plains, New York on Friday night.

The Liberty have won the East conference finals 4-times but still have no WNBA title to their name. Meanwhile, the Fever was hoping to clinch their second championship after winning in 2012.

In the first quarter, Indiana missed their first eight shots but built a 39-33 lead at half-time with the Tina Charles adding 16 points to keep New York in the hunt.

Han Xu of New York Liberty greets fans prior to the game against the Indiana Fever at the Westchester County Center, in White Plains, New York, May 24, 2019. /VCG Photo

The hosts enlarged the gap to eight points in the third, before Reshanda Gray and Bria Hartley scored 18 of the final 20 to end the period. Their side was trailing 60-56 with Han coming on for her league debut.

Subsequently, Charles hit a free throw as the Liberty took a one-point edge with seven seconds remaining. She eventually ended with 32 overall.

However, Teaira McCowan, making her WNBA debut, hit the game-winning layup at the buzzer to give Indiana an 81-80 victory in the season opener for both teams.