The New York Liberty are preparing to face the Golden State Valkyries on Sunday, seeking to end their current road trip on a high note. Coming off a 99-88 loss to the Seattle Storm, Liberty star Jonquel Jones emphasized the need for improved focus and effort, rejecting excuses for the team’s recent slump, which has seen them lose three of their last four games.
“We just have to be better locked in,” Jones stated after the Seattle game. “We just have to be better. That’s just what it is. It’s not about the reps, it’s not about the playing time, it’s not about none of that stuff. It’s about having some heart and playing with some f–king heart.” The Liberty have struggled with complacency at times, playing down to opponents and experiencing a decline in effort and focus, leading to disappointing losses against teams like the Portland Fire, Washington Mystics, Los Angeles Sparks, and the Storm.
This mindset is unlikely to serve them well against the Golden State Valkyries, a team known for its suffocating defense. The Valkyries, led by All-Star candidate Gabby Williams, are on a two-game winning streak, including a recent 78-75 victory over the Atlanta Dream. Williams expressed confidence in her team's ability to handle another contender, anticipating a challenging matchup against the Liberty.
"We know how bad New York wants this after seeing what happened with them in Seattle," Williams said. "And so just expecting that they’re going to want to throw that first punch, and I think the way we handle tonight, that gives me confidence that we can handle New York on Sunday."
The Valkyries have already defeated the Liberty once this season, securing an 87-70 win on May 21. That earlier matchup saw the Liberty hampered by turnovers, missed shots, and poor defensive execution. While New York’s defense has improved since that game, aided by the return of key players Leonie Fiebich, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, and Sabrina Ionescu, the team must be prepared for the Valkyries' intensity.
Fiebich has been performing well recently, averaging 15.8 points per game on 55.6 percent shooting over her last four games. Jones has also bolstered her All-Star case in June, averaging 17 points and 9.1 rebounds while shooting 79.3 percent in the restricted area. Breanna Stewart, who sat out the loss to Seattle for rest, is expected to be back in the lineup against Golden State.
Sabrina Ionescu, however, has not yet found her rhythm offensively and has shown defensive struggles since returning from back soreness. Sunday's game in the Bay Area, where Ionescu recently had her high school gym named in her honor, presents an opportunity for her to regain form against the Valkyries, a team that has expressed interest in her future.
The Liberty will need a strong performance from their entire roster to avoid a fourth loss in five games and ensure they do not underestimate the gritty Valkyries squad.