Backlight assembly and liquid crystal display device having the same

A backlight assembly comprising:

• a surface light source that includes a plurality of discharge spaces, the discharge spaces being spaced apart from and aligned parallel to each other;
• a receiving container that includes a bottom plate and side walls to receive the surface light source, the bottom plate having a plurality of first coupling portions that are formed along edges of the bottom plate;
• and
• a buffer member that is interposed between the surface light source and the receiving container to support the surface light source, the buffer member including a plurality of second coupling portions couplable to the first coupling portions.

A liquid crystal display device comprising:

• a backlight assembly including:
• a surface light source that includes a plurality of discharge spaces, that are spaced apart from and aligned parallel to each other, the discharge including an outermost lateral discharge space that is positioned near an edge of the surface light source;
• and
• a receiving container that includes a bottom plate and side walls to receive the surface light source, the bottom plate having openings that are positioned to overlap the outermost lateral discharge space when the surface light source is combined with the receiving container;
• and
• a liquid crystal display panel that displays an image using light supplied from the backlight assembly.