The New York Liberty are officially playoff-bound for the sixth year running, clinching their spot last Sunday night after the Washington Mystics took down the Portland Fire. But don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s been a smooth ride. This team, currently sitting at the sixth seed with a 24-16 record after beating the Chicago Sky on Saturday, has had one seriously wild, up-and-down season. It sets them up for what could be a brutal first-round matchup against the Las Vegas Aces, who are currently third in the standings.
From Red-Hot to Ice Cold and Back Again
Seriously, this Liberty season has been a rollercoaster. Expectations were sky-high coming into 2026, especially with their track record of back-to-back WNBA Finals appearances in 2023 and 2024, even snagging the championship in 2024. They started out looking like world-beaters, exploding to a red-hot 11-4 record. Everyone thought they were cruising for that top seed, no question.
Then, the wheels totally fell off. They went an absolutely brutal 2-8 in their next ten games, dropping all the way to a mediocre 13-12. That cold streak killed any realistic shot at the top seed and the home-court advantage that comes with it. The only real silver lining during that rough patch? They still managed to win the Commissioner’s Cup with a victory over those same Las Vegas Aces. Talk about a weird stretch! Since hitting that 13-12 low point, though, they’ve cranked it back up, going 11-4 again. It just shows you how dangerous they can be when they are clicking.
The Star Power Is There, But So Is the Pressure
You can’t talk about the Liberty without talking about their insane star power: Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones. These three playmakers all have championships on their resumes, and they absolutely have the ability to take over a game whenever they want. We’re talking about serious positional versatility, too, with Ionescu directing the offense from the perimeter, Stewart making plays on the wing, and Jones battling down low. Opposing defenses have to deal with a lot every single night, and it’s a nightmare matchup for anyone.
Now, clinching that playoff spot is huge, a testament to their talent and resilience. But being the sixth seed means they are almost certainly going to have to win some clutch games on the road if they want to capture that WNBA title. It’s a tough road, no doubt, but with Stewart, Ionescu, and Jones leading the charge, this team still has all the pieces to make a deep run. Get ready for some high-stakes basketball, because the Liberty are coming to play.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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