Liberty Kicks Off Seven-Game Homestand in Brooklyn

There’s truly nothing quite like the comforts of being home, and the Liberty are looking forward to that as they embark on a special seven-game homestand in Brooklyn.

Their first game is Thursday against the Golden State Valkyries, and they won’t play again at home until June 8 when they face the Connecticut Sun.

For Jonquel Jones, this home stretch means more quality time with her furry friend, Lairo, who she affectionately refers to as her lucky charm. She even mentioned planning to buy some flowers to brighten up her apartment.

“You definitely miss your bed when you’re away,” said the 2024 Finals MVP after practice on Wednesday. “I really miss the familiar things when I’m at home. Being able to have dinner with friends, that’s nice. Just enjoying being home… little things like that are really helpful.”

I think the Liberty might struggle to extend this home stretch beyond the three games left in the season. Out of their last ten regular-season games, six are at home but will be offset by two road trips, including one to Toronto. Their longest road trip is set for four games.

Brianna Stewart shared her thoughts, saying, “This is amazing for me, mentally.”

Stewart believes this extended time in New York will be vital for building the team’s confidence early on. Even with a rocky start, they’ve managed a 3-1 record leading up to Thursday, despite players like Sabrina Ionescu and Sato Sabally nursing injuries. They are expected to return shortly, along with Leonie Fievich and Raquel Carrera from international play.

As of Wednesday, the Liberty boasts the highest points-per-game average (100) and top 3-point shooting percentage (37.9) in the WNBA. Much of this success comes from the backcourt duo, Marin Johannes and Pauline Astier, with Stewart nearly averaging a double-double per game.

However, there are definitely areas that need some work. The team is currently tied for 12th in turnovers per game (16) in the 15-team league, and they rank sixth with 33.2 turnovers as of Wednesday.

“We understand that the challengers are coming in, and hopefully, we can work on tightening up our offensive and defensive game to build confidence,” Stewart said. “The support from fans is incredible.”

I genuinely believe they can improve these aspects of their game, especially being able to play at home for a while. Johannes, Jones, and Stewart feel this Liberty group is more “focused,” which might be thanks to the new system in Brooklyn.

“It’s not that we lacked focus last year,” Jones explained. “I think we’ve just gotten more comfortable with the system that we know. This year, with the fresh system and coaching staff, our focus seems deeper.”

Last season, the Liberty soared to a remarkable 9-0 start right after winning the championship but were ultimately hindered by injuries, struggled in the season’s second half, and faced an early playoff exit.

Many players have experienced all phases of the game, while some are still new to the league. Stewart remarked that there’s a “freshness” within this team, creating a different energy than past seasons. Together, they’re building a diverse team with championship hopes.

“Everything is exciting and new,” expressed the two-time MVP when talking about WNBA rookies on the Liberty. “The players who have been here know the ropes and understand the goals we have and how to achieve them.”