If you enjoy team basketball instead of the individuality of a player’s performance, then the first outing between the New York Liberty and the W’s newest franchise Golden State Valkyries was the game for you.
When the Liberty was hit with a zone coverage from the Valkyries, their ball movement allowed them to have success getting open looks for quality jumpers. The stat sheet served as proof as well as players like Natasha Cloud benefited. The reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week accumulated 10 assists, moving herself into 10th place all time. For Cloud, it’s been quite the week. She’s not only off to the best start of her long career, but was the subject of a SLAM cover piece.
And of course, it doesn’t hurt to have players take the lead and go on a scoring surge themselves. Breanna Stewart did her usual thing and scored 24 points. Marine Johannes played out of her mind as she scored 18 points, all on threes. No matter if the shots were off one leg, off the dribble, or catch and shoot, Johannes put the ball in the hoop in a fashion that only the French fan favorite only she can do. (By the way, who on this team isn’t a fan favorite? It’s what makes them such a success in the city, their personalities.)
Tonight, the Liberty will take on the Valkyries once again as the Liberty will try to defend their home court in the Valkyries’ last appearance in Brooklyn and move to 5-0.
Where to watch
Catch the action starting at 7:00 p.m. ET on My9
Injuries
Nyara Sabally remains questionable with her knee injury. She’s missed the last two games. Of course, Betnijan Laney-Hamilton is done for the season.
For the Valkyries, Tiffany Hayes and Monique Billings are listed as questionable. Cecilia Zandalasini has yet to play this season due to a foot injury and will miss tonight’s game.
The Game
To be quite honest, if the Liberty can have the same energy and level of ball movement they had in Game One, they will have a great chance in staying undefeated. When watching the two teams play, you can tell which franchise has a history of winning and who is just getting their feet wet.
Because the Valkyries have just arrived, they lack an amount of talent in order to stay with the defending champions. They also do not have a frontcourt that can stay in front of the tandem of Stewart and Jonquel Jones, who will both be keys to the Liberty’s success tonight.
For the Libs, the other key will be not getting too confident too early. That hasn’t been a problem yet.
Player(s) to Watch
The Valkyries are young and sometimes they need to work things out on the fly, like the Saturday night when two of their rookies helped each other post-game after their second win, this one vs. the L.A. Sparks.
In a heartwarming post-game moment, Carla Leite admits her English isn’t great, so teammate Janelle Salaün steps in to translate
The French duo powered the @valkyries to their second consecutive win! pic.twitter.com/ZPxGdEcm2a
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 24, 2025
Indeed, the two French rookies have been a big surprise for the Valkyries. In that game, they combined for 37 points and dominated the fourth quarter.
Leite is 21, Salaün 23.
From the Vault
Sorta. This only happened over the weekend in New York.
The Asian American Foundation founded by Joe Tsai among others held a charity game that featured the Nets and Liberty owner ... and a real celebrity...
Tsai also subtly confirmed a Wall Street Journal report last week that Ellie is 5’10” by posing with his most famous female employee...
I play in the Under 5’9” League
— Joe Tsai (@joetsai1999) May 29, 2025
More reading: Team Thirteen Valkyries Blog, The Valkyries Blog, Swish Appeal, Chicago Sun Times, Women’s Basketball Roundup, No Cap Space, The Strickland, The Local W, New York Daily News, New York Post, The Athletic. Fansided, Just Women’s Sports, SI All Knicks, Winsidr, Her Hoop Stats, CBS Sports, and The Next