New York’s been catching breaks lately, bad ones. The kind that feel like stepping on a subway grate in heels or getting stuck behind a never‑ending Times Square Elmo parade. Jonquel Jones had already been sidelined since June 19, and just when it looked like the Liberty were finally about to roll out their full roster for the first time in nearly two months, Nyara Sabally was ruled out. It was right as they geared up for a Fever clash. She hasn’t played since. And then came another gut punch in the 101–99 loss to the Sparks.
Breanna Stewart barely got four playing minutes before she had to limp off with three points and a rebound, disappearing into the tunnel. Sabrina Ionescu still lit up the floor with 30, but even that couldn’t salvage the night. Moreover, her best shot of the night, a three with 3:10 left in the third, didn’t even count. The officials wiped it away for a Jonquel Jones illegal screen. Sabrina Ionescu wasn’t happy about it, and her reaction said it all. But the hits still kept coming for New York.
Kennedy Burke checked in for Breanna Stewart but didn’t last long. She soon headed to the locker room with cramps and logged a DNP in the second half. To add to that, Leonie Fiebich is still nursing the hand she banged up against Phoenix. For the Fiebich situation, Sandy Brondello seemed optimistic, while giving updates, she shared, “[Leo] hurt her hand in that last game. She’s tough, she’s resilient.” For Kennedy Burke, “Hopefully, she’ll be okay, too,” prayed Brondello. And for those waiting on a Stewie update? Join the club, including Brondello herself. “No update,” the coach admitted. “Haven’t heard. Hopefully she’ll be okay.”
Sandy Brondello, on Breanna Stewart: “No update. Haven’t heard. Hopefully she’ll be okay.” (Q: @DougFeinberg)
— Myles (@MylesEhrlich) July 27, 2025
It feels like the basketball gods are testing New York harder than hailing a cab ride down Fifth during rush hour. However, the Liberty will surely catch up soon. After all, despite it all, they are still sitting at 17–7, just five games behind Minnesota’s league-best 22–4. Even in their recent 101–99 stumble against the Sparks, the loss was more about bodies dropping than ability. Before that, they had racked up five straight wins, knocking off the Mercury, Fever (twice), Dream, and Aces.
They’ve only fallen to a handful of teams lately (the Storm, Sparks, Dream, and Mercury). Look closer, and the backbone is still there. As New York boasts the league’s second-best scoring margin at +7.7, they are trailing behind only the Lynx. Sabrina Ionescu is pouring in clutch buckets, the offense is averaging nearly 88 a night, and their 12–3 home record shows Barclays remains a fortress. The schedule hasn’t done them favors, and neither have the injuries, but this isn’t a slide. It’s a pause. They could turn into a title threat soon, especially with Sabrina Ionescu on board.
New York Still Has Stars
Even with the roster in flux, Sabrina Ionescu is the Liberty’s heartbeat. Before their loss to the Sparks, she dropped 29 huge points. Meanwhile, Jonquel Jones dominated with a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double in New York’s 89-76 victory over Phoenix. It marked their fifth consecutive win. Mere hours later, Ionescu almost willed a short-handed Liberty squad to another triumph.
With Barclays Center electrified and neon promotional shirts lighting up the crowd, Ionescu erupted for 30 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and four steals in the 101-99 loss to Los Angeles. She created a historic stat line previously achieved only by Caitlin Clark, Candace Parker, and Brandy Reed in WNBA history.
“I’m just trying to play my game and read what the defense gives me,” Ionescu said postgame. “Obviously, we were missing players who normally score big for us, so I focused on creating easy opportunities. Finding midrange looks, attacking the rim, drawing fouls, and doing what I always do to help us win.”
After torching LA for 17 first-half points, Ionescu cooled briefly in the third and early fourth quarters before catching fire once again late. She converted a crucial score with just two minutes remaining. She even nailed two clutch jumpers in the final stretch. Alongside Natasha Cloud’s 22-point effort, Ionescu proved that the Liberty can still pack a serious punch. Even as they wait for their full squad to return.
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