The New York Liberty are grappling with a series of on-court challenges, evidenced by their fourth consecutive loss and a somber mood among players and coaching staff. Following a 108-88 defeat, veteran forward Breanna Stewart expressed a sense of fatigue with discussing the team's persistent issues but remained reflective.
Stewart acknowledged her own role in the team's struggles, stating, "I’m looking at myself, you know what I mean? There’s a lot that I didn’t do well today between the turnovers or the missed free throws or things like that. So in order for us to be our best, I need to be better." She led the team with 26 points and eight rebounds in the loss.
However, the need for improvement extends beyond Stewart. Guard Sabrina Ionescu, while showing recent improvement, took only nine shot attempts in the recent game, with just two in the second half. Her current averages reflect fewer three-point attempts than her sophomore season and a career-low in rebounds.
Jonquel Jones, a six-time All-Star, is attempting a career-high from three-point range but has her fewest field-goal attempts inside the arc since her Sixth Player of the Year campaign in 2018. Her emotional responses have also been noted as impacting her focus.
Marine Johannes started strong but has been advised to focus on simpler passes over flashy ones, and she also faces occasional foul trouble. Rookie Pauline Astier has been solid but needs to make smarter defensive decisions, as she reportedly does not always receive the benefit of the doubt from officials.
The Liberty's bench, once touted as the league's deepest, has been outscored significantly by opponents' reserves in recent games, failing to provide adequate support when starters rest.
Coach Chris DeMarco acknowledged the pressure of his first year and the anticipated growing pains with a new staff and system. However, the team's rotation remains unsettled, with developmental players sometimes being prioritized over experienced guards like Betnijah Laney-Hamilton and Rebekah Gardner, a decision DeMarco attributed to ongoing experimentation.
The team's overall performance has declined after an eight-game winning streak, with speculation that an overemphasis on zone defense might be a factor. General Manager Jonathan Kolb also faces scrutiny for his decision to dismiss Sandy Brondello, the franchise's winningest coach, and for building a roster whose on-paper potential has not translated to court success.
Injuries have contributed to the team's struggles, but the recent downturn has exposed depth deficiencies as the Aug. 2 trade deadline approaches. "It’s a team game, and it’s a team effort," DeMarco stated. "And everybody, including myself, need to look at themselves and figure out how we’re going to improve. And when we do that, and we’re connected and we’re playing together, the wins will follow."