Liberty’s Strong Start and Upcoming Roster Changes

Rebecca Allen, a forward for the Liberty, isn’t shocked by her team’s solid 3-1 start. In fact, she believes they could have won all four games.

Last week, Portland managed to clinch a victory over the Liberty with a stronger late-game performance. The Fire also utilized a deeper rotation, bringing in 10 players which ultimately wore down the Liberty.

In contrast, the Liberty had only nine players available during their loss last Tuesday. Just seven players clocked more than 12 minutes on the court, with four starters exceeding 30 minutes.

Portland’s bench outscored the Liberty’s 32-11. However, the Liberty may be moving away from this heavy reliance on starters soon.

Plans are in place to bolster the roster shortly. Both Sabrina Ionescu and Sato Sabally participated fully in practice recently, which is encouraging news. Additionally, Leoni Fievic and Raquel Carrera, fresh off a Spanish league title with Valencia, are expected to join the team soon, though a specific timeline hasn’t been confirmed.

Coach Chris DeMarco expressed hope that the team would be complete by week’s end, though he admitted he could use a break. He remarked positively about Ionescu and Sabally’s progress in practice, saying, “Obviously, we’re both working on getting back to full speed. But yeah, I’m really impressed with their progress.”

While the influx of talent is promising, it complicates things for DeMarco. On one hand, the addition of All-Stars like Ionescu and Sabally, along with Fievic—known for her defensive skills—enhances the team’s capabilities. Carrera’s inclusion will also strengthen their frontcourt.

Yet, with more players vying for time, managing playing time becomes a challenge. One could say it’s a “good problem” to have.

DeMarco mentioned, “My door is always open. I want to build one-on-one relationships with players. Over time, it will take care of itself. Everyone in this building is here to win.” Right now, the focus is on preparing for their next match against Golden State.

Players like Pauline Astier and Marine Johannes may be directly affected by these changes. Both have been impressive early in the season, with Johannes averaging a career-high 15.8 points and 5 assists per game—she even leads the league in three-pointers made. Astier is contributing significantly too, with notable averages of 16.8 points on excellent shooting percentages.

There’s also the possibility that Betoniya Rainey-Hamilton could lose her spot to Fievic when she returns. Astier mentioned she’s uncertain about the future of the starting lineup but is ready for any role she needs to play. “I just have to be ready,” she said.

DeMarco reassured that Astier would continue to be instrumental, regardless of Ionescu’s return: “For Pauline, her role remains the same. I know we have Sabu coming back, but she’s really had an impact and will continue to have that opportunity.”