The New York Liberty, reigning WNBA champions, celebrated their 2024 title with the Tiffany & Co.–designed trophy and a ticker-tape parade through the Canyon of Heroes. But 2025 is a new challenge, one that will hinge on two key factors: health and chemistry.
Their best-of-three, first-round series against the Phoenix Mercury and MVP candidate Alyssa Thomas, begins on the road at PHX Arena in Phoenix on Sunday, Sept. 14.
Health Is Wealth
The biggest factor for the Liberty's repeat playoff success is health. The Liberty have a wealth of talent on their roster, but injuries have kept many of their stars out of the lineup for extended periods of time during the regular season. To note:
Games Missed
Forward Breanna Stewart: 14 games
Center Jonquel Jones: 9 games
Guard Sabrina Ionescu: 4 games
Forward Leonie Fiebich: 7 games
Guard/Forward Kennedy Burke: 8 Games
Center Nyara Sabally: 26 games
Stewart, Jones and Ionescu played in just 12 games together this season, and the team went 12-0 in those games, but when any one of the trio missed a game, the Liberty were 14-17.
Chemistry
Chemistry is formed by extensive time on the court together, and though the veteran-laden squad benefits from championship experience, the lack of team chemistry can potentially be an issue in the postseason.
Starting guard Natasha Cloud, who won a WNBA championship in 2019 with the Washington Mystics, contributes a lot to defense and her energy on both sides of the ball have been a spark plug for the Liberty. That said, Stewart, Jones and Ionescu have only played 11 games with Cloud, so in essence, they are still learning each other as the playoffs approach.
What Fans Are Saying
Brooklyn resident Ryan Landron has been a hardcore fan for the last three years and believes in Cloud's defensive prowess.
"I think they (Liberty) need to minimize turnovers, be smart on offense, keep everybody healthy, and play hardcore defense," Landron, 33, said. "Tash (Natasha) Cloud's been a huge positive on defense for us. Leonie Febish is an incredible defender, too."
Landron said as long as everyone is healthy, the Liberty has a great chance of winning the championship again.
Gianna Leopoldi, who was at a recent game with fellow fan Veronica Adu, told BK Reader: "I'm a little bit nervous because there are so many great teams and so much talent on all the teams, but I'm going to be here for every home game that they play and I'm hoping for the best."
Leopoldi, 24, listed her favorite players as Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Natasha Cloud, and was quick to say that the Liberty have the best fans in the WNBA.
Flatbush resident Vanessa Raptopoulos, who was at a recent game with her 9-year-old daughter Athena, took a hard line stance, lamenting the team's recent five-game losing streak before Tuesday's win against the Washington Mystics.
"The key is for the top three to play their best," she said. "Sabrina shows up every game and is the most dependable by far, but if JJ plays well and Stewie can score 20 points or more, we can win."
The first round of the WNBA playoffs starts on Sept. 14, airing on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN 2.
