The New York Liberty is in a precarious position. Few anticipated a team that started the season like a juggernaut to go through such a slump. The defending champions came out firing, sharper and more cohesive than ever. But a sudden slump has knocked them off balance. With three losses in their last five games, including a humbling 15-point defeat at the hands of the Phoenix Mercury, the alarm bells are ringing in Brooklyn.
Head coach Sandy Brondello, a proven winner with little tolerance for complacency, didn’t mince words after the latest setback. “We had no fight. I think we went away with what our strength is. Our strength is we’re doing things together. It’s disappointing,” she said. Her frustration underscored more than just a poor performance; it hinted at a deeper erosion of the team’s identity.
Breanna Stewart led the scoring with 17 points, but the Liberty looked disjointed. Offensively, they lacked rhythm and assertiveness. Defensively, they were picked apart by Phoenix’s trio of Satou Sabally, Kahleah Copper, and Alyssa Thomas, who attacked with precision and purpose. It was a game that exposed cracks, both in structure and spirit. This is not the Liberty team that blitzed through early-season opponents with fluid offense and stifling defense. Injuries and absences have disrupted their chemistry. Suddenly, a team that once looked unshakable is being tested in all the wrong ways.
The road doesn’t get easier. Up next: a high-stakes clash against Brittney Griner and the Atlanta Dream, who are riding momentum and sit just behind New York in the standings at 10-6. The Liberty, though still atop the East at 11-4, can feel the ground shifting beneath them. Let’s find out the latest updates on Jonquel Jones and her availability for this game.
New York Liberty vs Atlanta Dream: Injury Report
Finals MVP Jonquel Jones is out for several weeks with an ankle sprain, a massive loss to their interior defense and rebounding core. She remains listed as out of contention for this game. Leonie Fiebich is still away on EuroBasket duty. Lastly, Annika Soltau has also had her contract suspended and will not return this season
For Sunday’s game in Atlanta against the Dream, the last in New York’s road trip before heading home for nearly the entire month of July, the Liberty will again be without Jonquel Jones (R. Ankle) and Leonie Fiebich (Overseas Commitment). @Winsidr
— Myles (@MylesEhrlich) June 28, 2025
Lexi Held remains sidelined after suffering a collapsed lung in a freak collision with Breanna Stewart during the last matchup against the Liberty. Held stayed under observation in New York and was advised not to fly, but her determination to rejoin the team led her to take a three-day train journey across the country. Though she won’t suit up against New York and her return timeline is still unclear, her arrival in Phoenix gave the team a major emotional boost, with Mercury staff warmly welcoming her back.
Predicted Lineups: New York Liberty vs Atlanta Dream
New York Liberty
Natasha Cloud
Rebekah Gardner
Sabrina Ionescu
Nyara Sabally
Breanna Stewart
Atlanta Dream
Allisha Gray
Rhyne Howard
Jordin Canada
Brionna Jones
Brittney Griner
Match Preview and Prediction: New York Liberty vs Atlanta Dream
This will be the second matchup between the Liberty and the Dream this season. Their previous game took place on June 17, with New York pulling out an 86-81 victory. Sabrina Ionescu led the way with a stellar performance, scoring 34 points along with seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals while shooting 12 of 20 from the field and 4 of 8 from three-point range. Breanna Stewart also contributed a solid outing with 23 points, six rebounds, and four assists on 8 of 18 shooting.
For the Dream, Allisha Gray was the top scorer with 14 points on 5 of 12 shooting, adding five rebounds and five assists. Rhyne Howard struggled offensively, finishing with 13 points on 3 of 14 shooting, but made an impact in other areas with seven rebounds, nine assists, three steals, and three blocks. Since then, both teams have been experiencing slightly shaky form as the Dream have a 2-2 record in the four games after that, while the Liberty have a 1-3 record. Liberty is without two of their starters, but coach Brondello is not making any excuses.
“A lot of teams have lost EuroBasket players. Competing is something that’s within,” Brondello said Friday. “I don’t care who’s not with us. They’re not going to save us. This is it and we need to find a way to dig deeper.”
May 17, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) celebrates with forward Breanna Stewart (30), guard Natasha Cloud (9) and center Jonquel Jones (35) after getting fouled on a made basket in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Aces at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Dream trailed big early in their last game against the 2024 finalists Minnesota Lynx, which was delayed eight minutes when the power went out due to thunderstorms in the area. The game went into OT, which the Dream ultimately lost 96-92.
“We just have to take that next step,” coach Karl Smesko said. “We have to be able to finish some of these games off and that’s something we will be spending more time working on in practice.”
Both teams have shown signs of slipping in key areas. Atlanta’s offense has cooled slightly, averaging 83.7 points per game over the last 10 outings compared to its season average of 84.0. On the other side, New York has had trouble tightening up defensively, allowing 80.4 points per game during that same stretch, a slight increase from its season average of 79.2. These recent trends underline the adjustments both squads will need to make heading into this important clash.
The ESPN matchup predictor is slightly tilting towards New York with a 55.6% chance for a win in this one. Considering their recent history, they are the most likely to bounce back from their slump sooner rather than later, and this match could be the statement win they need to get back on track. The Dream will hope to capitalize on New York’s recent inconsistencies and continue their push up the standings. This one could be a tone-setter for both squads as they look to reestablish their rhythm and identity heading into the heart of the season.
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