Liberty Face Challenges in WNBA Playoffs After Rollercoaster Season

NEW YORK, NY — The New York Liberty are preparing for their playoff run after finishing the regular season with a 27-17 record, a significant drop from their strong start. They began the season with a remarkable 9-0 streak but ended up finishing fifth, missing out on home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Star forward Breanna Stewart expressed the team’s resilience, stating, “It’s been up and down, players in and out, roster changes. But we don’t want our run to be easy; we just want it to be really, really worth it.” Injuries plagued the Liberty, sidelining key players like Stewart (knee), Jonquel Jones (ankle), and Sabrina Ionescu (neck, toe) for significant portions of the season. Each missed games contributed to New York’s inconsistent performance.

In games where all three played, the Liberty were an impressive 12-2. However, injuries limited their time together significantly compared to their successful campaign last year, when they captured their first WNBA title. Liberty’s head coach, Sandy Brondello, acknowledged the challenges, saying, “Yes, we faced a lot of adversity. But there’s also a lot of games where we feel like we could have played better.”

Joanne Laney, who also had an injury earlier this year, and veteran addition Emma Meesseman, who averaged 13.4 points this season, are expected to bolster the team’s playoff lineup. Monty Williams, a defensive strategist, noted that the Liberty needs to utilize their full roster’s strength as they push for a repeat championship.

The Liberty’s playoff journey will commence against the Phoenix Mercury, who hold the fourth seed. Many league analysts believe that with their healthy roster and playoff experience, the Liberty can build upon last season’s success. Stewart emphasized the importance of mental toughness in the playoffs, stating, “You have to have a certain mental toughness and awareness of what’s going on and how to fight through that.”

As the playoffs approach, New York hopes to recapture the form that led them to last season’s championship title, while the added pressure of being defending champions could test their resolve. With their full roster ready, the Liberty aim to make a significant impact as they embark on their postseason journey.