Rookie Sydney Taylor has emerged as a significant challenge for the championship-contending New York Liberty, exposing a growing vulnerability in the team's perimeter defense. Taylor has troubled the Liberty in multiple matchups this season, notably scoring 24 points on June 17 and 31 points on July 22, in games New York narrowly won by one point on both occasions.
In their most recent encounter on July 22, Taylor nearly led the Chicago Sky to an upset victory against the Liberty, who were ultimately rescued by a late-game surge from Sabrina Ionescu. Taylor's performance in that game included shooting 9-of-17 from the field and 4-of-7 from three-point range.
While Taylor, who is averaging 14.2 points this season, is currently listed as questionable for an upcoming game due to a left groin injury, her effectiveness against New York highlights a larger concern. The Liberty's ability to slow down dynamic guards is being questioned as the playoffs approach.
This defensive struggle has been evident in recent games. A 106-92 loss to the Indiana Fever saw Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell combine for 50 points, with the Fever converting 16-of-24 three-point attempts. Although the Liberty initially dismissed this as an unusually hot shooting night, the frequency with which Indiana generated open looks has been a recurring issue.
Further compounding the problem, the Liberty also allowed the Los Angeles Sparks to shoot 6-of-9 from beyond the arc during a significant fourth-quarter run on July 28. This season, New York ranks among the bottom five teams in the league for opponent three-pointers made (9.3 per game) and opponent three-point percentage (35.5 percent). These numbers have worsened in the last 15 games, with opponents averaging 10.1 made three-pointers and shooting 38.4 percent from deep.
The Liberty's injury situation at the wing position has exacerbated these defensive issues. Leonie Fiebich, considered a key perimeter defender, has been sidelined since July 3 with a foot injury. Satou Sabally, acquired for her versatility and defensive capabilities, is dealing with the aftermath of her second concussion in under a year. Additionally, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, a crucial player from the 2024 championship team, is no longer with the Liberty.
These absences have strained the team's depth, leaving others to compensate for the lack of specialized perimeter defense. Questions are being raised about the front office's decisions, particularly regarding the signing of Sabally, who had a known injury history, and the addition of Laney-Hamilton, who was returning from major surgery at age 32.
The team's struggles also prompt examination of coaching schemes, game preparation, and player execution. With Fiebich expected to return at some point, her presence may offer a boost. However, the status of Sabally remains uncertain, and until the team can more effectively contain opposing guards, they may face continued challenges.