The New York Liberty may never lose again.
Even without Jonquel Jones, who stomped the Chicago Sky’s sophomore front-court in their late-May matchup, the Liberty led wire-to-wire in the nationally televised rematch on Tuesday night.
Sandy Brondello inserted Nyara Sabally, who returned from a six-game absence with knee soreness, into the starting lineup, and her very first possession portended the rest of the game...
Sabally finished with nine points and three boards, not missing a shot in her 15 minutes, but her stat-line hardly mattered. The German, soon to depart for EuroBasket, looked like the fullest version of her self, too strong and quick to be kept away from the rim for too long.
“She looked great,” said Brondello. “It was great to have her back out there. You know, I think we can just build on that. She’s always consistent, every time she gets subbed in, she’s just consistently great. She knows what she does and how she can help us.”
Sabally helped New York get out to a 26-15 lead after the first quarter, and the sea foam never sweat much after that. Their lead would increase consistently, until it reached a game-high 34 in the second half.
The healthy Liberty stars helped it get to that point. Sabrina Ionescu, who finished with a crisp 23/1/7/4/2 line on 9-of-14 shooting, controlled the game like the savvy veteran she now is. Most of her damage was done inside the arc, where she bumped Chicago’s guards off her to finish possessions with smooth floaters, pull-ups, and every right pass...
Sandy Brondello was effusive when praising her point guard postgame: “Today was [a game] where we wanted the ball in her hands, and just, it was easy for her to get downhill. And she’s such a great facilitator ... She just keeps maturing as a player, plays at both ends of the floor, and it’s been big for us. But obviously, Olaf [Lange] is her coach, so he sits down with her in preparation, in knowing how they’re going to defend her, what she should or could be doing. And then, you know, we just try and put her in actions where she can have success. And she’s — she’s so smart. I mean, she’s going to be a great coach one day, too.”
Breanna Stewart punched out with an easy 18/7/5 line, blocking two shots and fitting in where she could. Which, for Stewie, is everywhere...
Angel Reese did her best to give an ESPN audience and characteristically packed Barclays Center crowd more of what they came for. In her best game of the season, without Jones protecting the paint, she scored a season-high 17 points with 11 boards, despite turning it over five times.
Reese, who got major cheers when the starting lineups were introduced, even hit a couple jumpers. But Ariel Atkins was the only other visitor to crack double-digits. No single player was responsible for the Sky’s lackluster offense, particularly against what’s been the best defense in the league; it was just an unfair fight.
As such, the Liberty’s role players contributed much more. Kennedy Burke yet again did not miss a 3-pointer, now up to a laughable 63.3% on the season from deep. Breanna Stewart, who played with Burke for the Seattle Storm in 2021, is perhaps best suited to describe her ascent.
“What I’ve seen the most is the way she’s really taken ownership of the role that she’s in. And whenever she’s on the court, she’s motivated to help the team, but also very confident. And I think it’s tough, you know, especially when you come to a new team, whether it’s in Seattl, or when you come to New York last year, finding that groove. And now she’s found it.”
Burke scored 15 points in 21 minutes off the bench, and though her teammates largely struggled from three (27.6% as a team), the Sky needed more luck than that to keep up.
We could go on down the line — Rebekah Gardner was again productive — but the Liberty are much more than the admittedly impressive collection of names. They are a dominant team, who play beautiful basketball from the top down...
Now, they’re not just 9-0, but 3-0 in Commissioner’s Cup play with a point differential of 75. What else is there to say?
Final Score: New York Liberty 85, Chicago Sky 66
Courtney Vandersloot, absence felt
In a terrible twist of fate, Courtney Vandersloot tore her ACL in the Chicago Sky’s previous game. After heading back to the franchise she called home for over a decade, the 36-year-old will now miss the rest of the season after winning the a championship with the Liberty last year.
That meant the Liberty did not get to honor Vandersloot with her championship ring, her absence hurting just a little bit more.
Said Brondello: “Terrible, what happened to Slooty. You never want to see any player go down with an injury, but someone that obviously is so dear to us. And we would’ve loved to have presented her ring tonight and celebrated the success she had with us last year.”
Coco Gauff ignites the crowd
The loudest moment of the night, bar none, came after Coco Gauff was shown on the Barclays Center video board. The 2025 French Open champion drew one of the loudest, sustained crowd reactions in the history of the arena...
Just thought that was worth pointing out.
Next Up
Indiana Fever v Atlanta Dream Photo by Joe Boatman/NBAE via Getty Images
Caitlin Clark will likely be questionable on Saturday afternoon, when the New York Liberty head to Indiana to play the Fever. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET.