Can the New York Liberty Repeat? WNBA Playoff Outlook and Analysis
The New York Liberty are heading into the WNBA playoffs with the goal of defending their title. After a dominant start, the Liberty face a challenging road, starting in the first round against the Phoenix Mercury. Can they overcome injuries and inconsistency to make another championship run?
Liberty's Regular Season Struggles and Playoff Seeding
Despite starting the season 9-0, the Liberty finished the regular season with a 27-17 record, landing them the fifth seed in the WNBA playoffs. This means they'll start on the road against the fourth-seeded Phoenix Mercury. Key injuries to stars like Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Sabrina Ionescu significantly impacted the team's performance.
Impact of Injuries on Key Players
Injuries played a significant role in the Liberty's regular season ups and downs. Stewart and Jones each missed 13 games, while Ionescu sat out six. When the "big three" of Stewart, Jones, and Ionescu played together, the Liberty were 12-2. Coach Sandy Brondello acknowledged the adversity faced by the team, citing injuries and roster changes.
"It's been up and down, players in and out, roster changes," Liberty forward Breanna Stewart said. "All the things you could imagine have happened to this team. But we don't want our run to be easy, we just want it to be really, really worth it."
Statistical Breakdown: The "Big Three" Together
The Liberty's effectiveness is heavily tied to the presence of Stewart, Jones, and Ionescu on the court together. In 2024, they played 805 minutes together with a plus-12 net rating. This season, their net rating increased to plus-21, but they only played 234 minutes together. The Liberty's net rating dropped significantly when only one or two of these stars were on the court.
Roster Changes and Additions
The Liberty's roster underwent several changes compared to last year. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton missed the season due to injury, Courtney Vandersloot returned to Chicago, and Kayla Thornton was selected in the expansion draft. However, the team added point guard Natasha Cloud and welcomed back Marine Johannes. Mid-season, they also signed veteran forward Emma Meesseman, a former WNBA Finals MVP.
ESPN Experts Weigh In: Liberty vs. Mercury Predictions
A survey of nine ESPN reporters showed strong support for the Liberty to win their first-round series against the Mercury. All nine reporters predicted the Liberty to win the series. This confidence stems from the return of a full roster and the team's performance when their key players are healthy.
| Reporter | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Kendra Andrews | Liberty in 3 |
| Sean Hurd | Mercury in 3 |
| Myron Medcalf | Liberty in 3 |
| Eric Moody | Liberty in 3 |
| Neil Paine | Liberty in 3 |
| Kevin Pelton | Liberty in 3 |
| Alexa Philippou | Liberty in 3 |
| Andre Snellings | Liberty in 3 |
| Michael Voepel | Liberty in 3 |
Brondello's Perspective and Playoff Outlook
Coach Sandy Brondello acknowledges the challenges faced during the regular season but remains optimistic about the playoffs. She references her experience leading the Phoenix Mercury to the Finals as a fifth seed in 2021, emphasizing the importance of playing their best basketball at the right time. Brondello highlights the importance of rediscovering the team's identity and making their opponents uncomfortable.
"Everyone knows about our injuries. We we only had our full group together for two games ... So a lot of disruptions here, but it doesn't matter, this is playoffs. It doesn't matter what the standings are. It's 0-0, it's a whole new season. We know what we're capable of, and now it's just coming out and doing it." - Sandy Brondello, New York Liberty Head Coach
The Road Ahead: Can the Liberty Overcome Adversity?
The New York Liberty's playoff journey begins with a tough road series against the Phoenix Mercury. With a full roster finally available, the team is confident in their ability to overcome the challenges and make a deep playoff run. Their experience, resilience, and star power will be crucial as they aim to repeat as WNBA champions.
