Seattle – Freedom’s Attitude After Loss
Freedom’s demeanor wasn’t one of panic following Thursday’s game against the Mercury. In fact, they showcased a lot of confidence, even after the loss.
New York fans shouldn’t overreact, though. Sure, the defeat might sting, but there’s no need to hit the alarm button just yet. The season is still in its early stages, and the reigning champions had looked strong for much of the month.
Now might be an ideal opportunity for Liberty (10-2) to regain their footing after a dip in their last three games. But then again, this could lead to bigger issues.
Liberty is embarking on a demanding 10-day road trip beginning Sunday against the Storm (8-5) in Seattle before heading to the Bay Area for their third matchup this season with the Valkyries (6-6). The trip wraps up with games against Mercury (10-4) and the Dream (9-4) on June 29.
Sabrina Ionescu shared her thoughts on the challenge, saying, “A 10-day road trip is tough, no matter how you slice it. Four games, in four different cities? It’s exhausting. You don’t get to come home and recenter, which can be draining. Plus, playing in opposing arenas can sap your energy.”
Freedom is facing some changes due to injuries and international obligations. Nyara Sabally has struggled with knee issues, missing six of the first eight games. Jonquel Jones has also had her share of setbacks this season.
Jones, after missing two games with an ankle sprain, reinjured it in the recent game, which could sideline her for four to six weeks. Earlier, she also dealt with a hamstring strain.
Leonie Fevich is currently overseas for Eurobasket, further complicating matters. While these challenges impact all teams at different times, the top teams tend to adapt better with the players available.
Natasha Cloud reflected on the situation, stating, “When you face adversity, your objectives get more challenging, and you have to remember your goals for the end of the season. These growing pains are part of the journey; peaking too early is never ideal.”
However, one concerning trend so far has been their inconsistent performances. At times, it seems their urgency wanes, leading to clumsy plays and sloppy defense that opponents can easily exploit.
Liberty has been 2-2 in games where they’ve led by more than 10 points in the second half. Repairing disjointed play can be a challenge, particularly when it comes to defense, which, for teams like Liberty, fuels their offensive plays.
Brenna Stewart noted, “We need to be more conscious of our actions and the reasons behind them on the court. This game against Seattle is a solid test for us. We may not have everyone, and things aren’t always perfect, but we must figure out how to respond and position ourselves to win.”
If they’re not careful, things could become rather complicated. Yet, five weeks into the season, there hasn’t been enough consistency to build confidence in a turnaround—at least not yet.
Cloud is determined to foster a “Road Warriors” mindset, which helped them secure victories in their first four road games. “We’ll keep grinding and improving,” she said. “Ultimately, I just want to rack up some wins during this trip.”
