WNBA: Sabrina Ionescu is on hearth for league-leading Liberty

It’s been a minute since our final Liberty replace, huh? Effectively, like many individuals this summer time, I (Chelsea) have fled to Europe, so we’re going worldwide with this replace. Not going to lie, I unplugged for a number of days, and was pleasantly stunned to open my cellphone to see the New York Liberty have been sitting comfortably on high of the WNBA standings.

Should you, like myself, reside your finest Euro Lady Summer season (being in Europe isn’t explicitly needed), and haven’t been retaining the closest eye on the Liberty’s try to return to the WNBA Finals this season, let’s dive into it.

New York’s dominance is (largely) a breeze…

Photograph by Catalina Fragoso/NBAE by way of Getty Photos

With a document of 21-4 on the season, the Liberty have been taking part in fairly properly in all conditions. Over the previous few weeks, they’ve gone 6-1, whereas beating powerhouse groups just like the Connecticut Solar and Minnesota Lynx alongside the best way.

Of their final recreation earlier than the month-long Olympic break on Tuesday night time, the Liberty gained their third recreation of the season over the Solar. The Solar began their season HOT on a 10-game successful streak, however with the Liberty now successful the season collection between the 2 groups, New York has the benefit within the battle for playoff positioning. That needed to be an enormous aid for this Liberty crew.

Whereas the crew as an entire has been taking part in nice, Sabrina Ionescu has been on one other degree heading into the Olympics. She’s going to characterize Crew USA on the Video games for the primary time this month, and her place on the crew has been rightfully earned as she’s made an enormous soar for the reason that 2021 Olympics—helped alongside by the truth that she’s been largely wholesome since then. She’s scored greater than 20 factors within the Liberty’s final 5 video games, and shot 57.1 p.c from 3 within the crew’s victory over Chicago on July 11.

But, New York’s success has not come utterly stress-free; there have been a number of losses that the crew may have lived with out. The primary was extra about satisfaction than something, when New York did not win the Commissioner’s Cup Championship in opposition to Minnesota. Whereas that recreation doesn’t have an effect on the common season document of the crew, it nonetheless wasn’t enjoyable to lose each the trophy and the cash that comes together with it.

The opposite unhealthy loss was to the Indiana Fever on July 6, when the Liberty fell 83-78 to the younger crew. Whereas there may be definitely a whole lot of plain expertise on Indiana’s roster, the expertise and pedigree of New York had them because the heavy favorites to win. Nonetheless, losses occur, and the Liberty couldn’t dwell on the unhealthy night time an excessive amount of earlier than shifting on.

Regardless, they nonetheless high the league as we head into the All-Star and Olympic break.

Accidents are hurting the Liberty’s depth

Photograph by Barry Gossage/NBAE by way of Getty Photos

Depth and expertise are two the explanation why New York is ready to win video games, but accidents sadly are certain to occur all through the season. Breanna Stewart missed the final two recreation with a hamstring pressure, however her damage doesn’t appear to be a long-term subject. It’s Betnijah Laney-Hamilton’s knee damage that may impression the crew extra. She underwent a minor process this week and will probably be out for over a month rehabbing. However, the damage timeline suggests she will probably be again earlier than the playoffs are set to start.

With a member of the beginning lineup being sidelined, head coach Sandy Brondello should proceed to dig into her bench to switch Laney-Hamilton’s impression. That’s no straightforward job although, as Laney-Hamilton has an enormous two-way impression inside the Liberty’s system. She is an enormous defender on the perimeter and might help shut down the plethora of gifted shooters within the league. She additionally provides an offensive pop along with her energy on drives.

As we head into the Olympic break, it’s going to even be a query of who returns wholesome. The Liberty have Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu heading to characterize Crew USA, and the crew will doubtless play deep into the Olympics. Whereas many different groups’ gamers will get a number of weeks of relaxation, these Olympic athletes will get nearly none. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see if that helps or hinders them upon returning.

The place does New York stand?

Effectively, on high, principally. The Liberty at the moment are first total within the standings at 21-4, with the Solar in second at 18-6—a really good hole in the event you’re a Liberty supporter.

The Olympic break has additionally formally began and WNBA motion gained’t resume for one more month. As soon as we get again into it, there’ll solely be one month left of the common season earlier than the playoffs are set to start. A variety of groups will probably be in do-or-die mode for playoff placement and it’s already wanting like a tricky race. Whereas New York has the benefit of being in first, along with being a number of video games forward of the opposite high groups, they’ll’t decelerate. Connecticut, Las Vegas, Seattle and Minnesota will all be combating arduous to get into these high spots and safe homecourt benefit for the playoffs.

The Liberty are in a great spot, however they’ll should stick with it by means of damage, fatigue and an absence of relaxation in the event that they wish to preserve their high spot forward of the playoffs.