After the World Cup break, the New York Liberty delivered what might be their best win all season, a dominant 12-point victory, 93-81, over the league-leading Minnesota Lynx. This win looks a whole lot like the 2021 Chicago Sky, who turned a .500 season into a championship run from the No. 6 seed, and now the Liberty are showing that same kind of momentum.
Echoes of a Championship Past
This isn’t just another win. Five seasons ago, the No. 6 seed Chicago Sky muddled through a .500 regular season. They had both a losing streak and a winning streak of seven games. But when it mattered, they flipped a switch, taking out the Dallas Wings and Minnesota Lynx in single-elimination rounds, then beating the Connecticut Sun 3-1 in the semifinals and the Phoenix Mercury 3-1 in the WNBA Finals. That Sky team was loaded with WNBA legends like Candace Parker, Kahleah Copper, Courtney Vandersloot, and Allie Quigley. The Liberty are rocking that No. 6 seed, and their season has been just as wild: an eight-game winning streak contrasted with frustrating three- and four-game losing skids. They even won the Commissioner’s Cup, flashing potential that, too often, has been sidelined by injuries and inconsistency. But now? It feels like everything might be clicking at the perfect moment.
Unleashing the Star Power
The talent on this Liberty squad is undeniable, even with Satou Sabally not returning. Breanna Stewart is playing like an All-WNBA candidate, leading the charge. Jonquel Jones, Sabrina Ionescu, and Leonie Fiebich remain from the 2024 title team. Marine Johannès and Han Xu are having their best WNBA seasons, and rookie Pauline Astier is a revelation. Rebekah Gardner and Rebecca Allen are proven vets. Against the Lynx, this star power was on full display. They clamped down defensively, holding Napheesa Collier to just 14 points and forcing presumptive Rookie of the Year Olivia Miles into an inefficient night: 20 points on 5-for-18 shooting, with five assists matched by five turnovers. Offensively, it was a clinic in shared scoring: Stewart dropped 24 points, adding 10 rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Jones delivered an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double, and Ionescu drained three 3-pointers for 17 points. Astier was efficient with 14 points, and Johannès came off the bench to hit four 3s for 13 points. This wasn’t a fluke; it was the actualization of their World Cup break priorities, as detailed by Jackie Powell at The IX Sports, where staff and non-World Cup players used that hiatus.
This New York Liberty team is finally playing up to its immense potential. They’ve navigated the ups and downs of a regular season, showing flashes of brilliance mixed with frustrating struggles. Their dominant performance against the Lynx, coming out of the World Cup break, signals a major shift. If they’ve truly found their championship script, mimicking the 2021 Sky, then the rest of the WNBA needs to watch out. This squad is dangerous when they’re healthy and clicking, and they could make serious noise as the season continues.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Swish Appeal.
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