NFL
By: LaGrace Parker
With a record of 19–10, the New York Liberty have come back from a rough patch and are now in first place in the Eastern Conference. With less than a month left in the regular season, New York looks like they’ll lock up a high seed. However, they’ll need to fix a few important problems if they want to win the title.
Around the All-Star break, the Liberty had lost four of their last eight games, which made observers question their depth, health, and ability to play well late in games. Since then, they’ve won back-to-back games, including a tough 85–76 win over Dallas in which five players scored in double figures. It was the kind of balanced play they’ll need to keep up as the season goes on.
New York Liberty still has one of the best offensive approaches in the game. They score 86.9 points per game on average, which is second in the WNBA. They still have the best ball movement and are second in assists. When they’re on, only a few teams can keep up with them. On the other hand, turnovers have been a constant problem. These mistakes have cost a lot in close games against top-level opponents.
One big reason New York has done well this season is their defense. They continually apply pressure on the other team and make it difficult for them to score, especially when their stars are on the court. At the moment, they are third in the league in defensive rating, giving up only 101.3 points per 100 plays. There have been times when they weren’t as fierce, but new members like Emma Meesseman have made them stronger and given the second unit more balance.
Standout Players
- Jonquel Jones continues to be the engine inside, averaging 14.2 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. Her ability to dominate the paint on both ends has kept the Liberty anchored.
- Sabrina Ionescu is shooting amazingly from deep and remains one of the league’s most dangerous offensive weapons, especially in transition.
- Natasha Cloud has settled into her point guard role, managing pace, initiating offense, and holding one of the best assist-to-turnover ratios in the W.
- Emma Meesseman, a midseason pickup, debuted with 11 points and brings playoff experience and much-needed scoring to the bench.
What Needs to Improve?
The Liberty’s biggest question is consistency—not just from game to game, but within games. They’ve let double-digit leads slip away and have struggled at times in the fourth quarter. Limiting turnovers and improving communication in late-game scenarios will be crucial.
The attention is also on depth. The starting five are exceptionally talented, but the bench players haven’t always contributed in the necessary ways. Leonie Fiebich’s arrival and Steph Talbot’s return have given the team more energy, but Brondello will need to keep switching up the lineup and getting to know this new-look team.
With showdowns still ahead—including a rematch with the league-leading Minnesota Lynx — New York doesn’t have much room for error. But they do have the tools. If they stay healthy, find rhythm with their bench, and clean up the small stuff, the Liberty are absolutely in the title conversation.
