The New York Liberty are experiencing a mid-season resurgence, winning six of their last seven games and scoring at least 90 points in seven consecutive contests, a franchise record. However, this streak has occurred during a softer part of their schedule, and the team faces a significant test with a tougher slate of opponents ahead.
Despite their recent success, the Liberty have not consistently played to the level expected of a preseason title favorite. Their recent six wins have come by an average of fewer than five points, and their victory against the Seattle Storm on Monday was their only double-digit win since July 3. For much of the season, the team endured a slump where they lost eight of 10 games.
"I think what we’ve been talking about is just embracing where we are as a team," said Jonquel Jones. "I think at the beginning of the season we were so used to being that team that would come out, blow people out... Right now, it’s about us embracing it. We’ve been on the other side and there’ve been close games that we lost, so right now we’re taking the ‘W’s, we’re gonna learn from it, we’re gonna continue to get better."
Breanna Stewart, who has missed only one game this season and is among the league leaders in minutes played, expressed surprise when reminded of the team's earlier 2-8 stretch. "Dang, 2-8? Wow," she commented.
The team's current 19-13 record places them in seventh place. They are set to host the defending champion Las Vegas Aces and then travel to face the Indiana Fever, teams with winning records. The Liberty's remaining schedule ranks as the third-hardest in the league, with opponents holding a .535 winning percentage. Their record in the last five games against winning teams is 1-4.
To contend for their second title in three years, the Liberty may need to improve their seeding. Historically, only one WNBA champion has not been a top-two seed. The franchise won its only title as a No. 1 seed in 2024 and reached the finals as a No. 2 seed the previous year. Since Stewart and Jones joined the team, the Liberty are 5-0 as the higher seed in the postseason but 0-2 as the lower seed, including last year's first-round exit.
"It’s just understanding we’ve been put in so many situations when we’re down and digging ourselves out of a hole," said Sabrina Ionescu. "They’re all just experiences that we’re able to have in the regular season that should set us up for the postseason."
Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty handles the ball against Awa Fam of the Seattle Storm on Aug. 5.
