It’s been a giant month for the New York Liberty! No, not simply due to Ellie’s birthday, however that was a giant purpose.
Whereas the Liberty have but to crack into the highest spot within the WNBA standings, they high fairly just a few energy rankings. As a lot because the groups’ three losses are just a little disappointing, their wins are what really matter. They’ve already received video games in opposition to the No. 1-seed Connecticut Solar, the defending champion Las Vegas Aces and the rising Seattle Storm.
They’re proving to be a strong power within the WNBA, so let’s go over some highlights from the previous few weeks.
Ellie will get lit for her birthday
I couldn’t go away Ellie out! Our lady had the birthday bash to finish all birthday bashes throughout a latest Liberty sport. Her mascot boos from all around the nation got here to Barclays to rejoice the Liberty’s mascot, who has been going viral in latest weeks for her character and social media presence.
The Liberty spared no expense celebrating their lady, getting a tiered cake and having a dance celebration whereas Ellie herself had a number of costume modifications. Ellie is altering the sport for mascots and we’re loving it! Go off, lady!
The eight-game profitable streak
Okay, again to basketball. The Liberty had but to lose in June till this week, once they misplaced in opposition to the Phoenix Mercury in a good sport on June 18. It ended with a rating of 99-93, and Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner led the Mercury with 19 factors apiece.
Previous to that although, the Liberty had received eight-consecutive video games. Victories over the Solar and Aces had been in that stretch, together with wins over Phoenix, Washington, Indiana and Atlanta. Much more impressively, New York racked up all these wins whereas lacking Courtney Vandersloot from the lineup, who has been out coping with an undisclosed private problem.
Sadly, the streak ended with the loss in opposition to Phoenix, however anticipate the Liberty to return to the profitable column quickly sufficient. They’re taking part in with such energy, consistency and connection that’s seen on the court docket and leading to wins. Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones have been on an absolute tear: Stewart is averaging 19.2 factors, 9.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and a couple of.1 steals per sport, whereas Jones shot 75 p.c from the sphere in opposition to the Aces. Jones has shot 70 p.c or above in 4 video games this season, and the Liberty’s pair of former MVPs are main the group with ease.
Again-to-back Commissioner’s Cup champs?
The format of the Commissioner’s Cup event modified this 12 months, with groups taking part in all their qualifying video games in opposition to their very own convention over a shorter time period. The group with the most effective document in these 5 video games from every convention made the championship, which can be performed subsequent week. The Liberty had an excellent 5-0 run in Commissioner’s Cup play, beating out each group within the Jap Convention and clinching their spot within the remaining earlier than the qualifying video games concluded.
They’ll now host the ultimate sport in New York—nicely, Lengthy Island, technically, as a result of Barclays Middle being unavailable—in opposition to the Minnesota Lynx.
The Lynx have been taking part in fairly nicely this season and sit third within the standings, making for a enjoyable and thrilling championship match. With cash on the road for each the winners and their respective native charities, the stakes are excessive.
The Liberty, particularly, can be seeking to turn out to be back-to-back Commissioner’s Cup champs, after they received final 12 months in opposition to the Las Vegas Aces. If New York wins, it will likely be Breanna Stewart’s third Commissioner’s Cup title after profitable final 12 months with the Liberty and in 2021 with the Seattle Storm.
Up subsequent for the Liberty
Together with the Commissioner’s Cup Championship on June 25, the Liberty are chugging by their condensed schedule earlier than the Olympic break. With each Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu heading to the Olympics with Group USA, it’s good that this group has been taking part in fairly measured basketball and nonetheless profitable. Neither of the Olympians have needed to put the group on their backs, hopefully permitting them to be decently rested heading into the All-Star Recreation and Olympics.
But, it’s nonetheless a condensed schedule, and whereas the Liberty have had it simple over the previous few weeks, they’re about to play three video games within the subsequent 4 days. Then, they’ll play for the Commissioner’s Cup earlier than leaping proper again into regular-season play.
They’ve a back-to-back collection with Los Angeles this weekend, then a back-to-back with Atlanta, which ought to produce wins for New York. Their actual assessments will come as they play Minnesota twice within the subsequent week and a half (Commissioner’s Cup Championship included), and one other sport in opposition to Connecticut. Huge video games in opposition to Connecticut and Minnesota, in addition to once they play Las Vegas once more, will say loads about this group. The sting of shedding within the 2023 WNBA Finals appears recent on their minds as they set themselves up for an additional deep playoff run this fall. They virtually appear extra prepared for it this 12 months, too.
As we creep nearer to the massive Olympic break, the New York Liberty are hoping to remain on high of the league—and extra importantly, proceed to be the hardest group within the league.
