As the final moments ticked away, the atmosphere in Barclays Center was electric. Fans brandished white towels, reminiscent of the Liberty’s original 30-year-old uniforms, while cheers echoed until the last buzzer.
The Liberty kicked off the Chris DeMarco era with a commanding 106-75 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Friday night.
Throughout training camp, Liberty worked to keep expectations grounded. With a new coach and several new faces, including star free agent Sato Sabally, the team focused on gradually improving rather than seeking instant success. DeMarco has revamped the team’s offense and aimed to reignite the defensive tenacity that characterized their championship run in 2024.
Despite emphasizing patience, Liberty came out strong, dominating the game from the start, even without five players, including key starters Sabrina Ionescu and Sabally.
After the first quarter, the game felt like a done deal, with Liberty leading 36-13.
The Sun struggled to respond, often flustered by New York’s precise plays.
Contributions came from all over Liberty’s roster.
Brianna Stewart, feeling more like her old self since training camp began, led the charge with a game-high 31 points on 10-of-17 shooting and secured 10 rebounds, marking her first double-double of the season while also registering three blocks.
Marin Johannes, another starter, chipped in with 17 points, shooting 5-for-9 from beyond the arc.
Julie VanLue, unexpectedly signed that morning, made a remarkable impact off the bench, posting 12 points, seven rebounds, and 11 assists.
The Liberty’s 36 points in the first quarter surpassed their total for any quarter in last season.
Continuing the momentum, New York added another 30 points in the second quarter, heading into halftime with a substantial 66-37 lead.
Although the Sun tightened their defense after the break and the game’s flow became a bit erratic, the Liberty maintained control over Connecticut.
Next up, Liberty has a three-game series starting Sunday in Washington.
