Brianna Stewart, a key player for the Liberty, has set a straightforward personal goal for this season: “To be better than me,” she expressed earlier this week.
Since she joined the training camp, there’s been a lot of buzz around how positive she feels.
And during the preseason opener on Saturday, she demonstrated just how impressive she is.
Her time on the court was brief, under 12 minutes, but she certainly made it count.
Stewart seemed to be back in mid-season form, kicking off the second quarter by scoring the Liberty’s first 12 points in just over two minutes.
While she did attempt two 3-pointers and missed, everything else clicked for her, finishing with 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting.
Jonquel Jones remarked, “Stewie is just doing what he’s supposed to do, going downhill and playing in space. I think our offense is a great fit for her, providing more room and facilitation, which is fantastic.”
Saturday got off to a good start for Stewart.
Here are a few more insights from New York’s 109-92 loss.
Welcome back, Han Shu
Han was eager to perform in front of Liberty fans again, and she definitely seized the opportunity.
She led the team with 20 points, hitting 6 out of 10 shots, including a 3-pointer, and going a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line in 23 minutes.
The Liberty experimented with a larger lineup that included her, Stewart, and Jones, which even impressed Caitlin Clark.
Jones recalled, “It was funny because Kaitlyn and I were checking in together, and she said, ‘Wow, that lineup is huge for you guys.’ I was like, ‘Yeah.’ I think it’s going to be really beneficial for us, and I’m excited to share the court with two exceptional players.”
There were times when Han appeared a bit unsure defensively. Yet, all in all, it was a productive day for her.
DeMarco’s debut
In his debut game, coach Chris DeMarco received a technical foul, which interrupted the action at Barclays Center.
Sabrina Ionescu commented positively about DeMarco’s approach, mentioning, “I really like it,” adding a playful wink.
Despite strong individual performances, including a solid showing from Anneli Meiley off the bench, the game was somewhat of a mixed experience.
Liberty struggled with 24 turnovers, which allowed the Fever to capitalize with 29 points.
But such missteps are typical when transitioning to a new offensive system.
Jones noted that Saturday was “a good first game for us,” saying, “The offense flowed really well. It felt good to see where we should be. I believe it’s only going to improve from here.”
Key players will be absent
The Liberty is still missing some important players.
Sato Sabally, Rebecca Allen, and Marine Fortu were sidelined due to what the team referred to as “rehabilitation.” Meanwhile, players like Leonie Fievich and Marine Johannes have yet to report to camp after their overseas commitments.
These missing players clearly impact lineup dynamics and the development of team chemistry.
Ionescu shared her thoughts on the adjustments, saying, “It’s challenging, especially as we are all getting accustomed to new systems. But Chris has done an outstanding job figuring out how we all fit together.”
She added that DeMarco emphasizes the importance of gradual growth rather than immediate perfection. New players aren’t overwhelmed, easing into a system that isn’t loaded with excessive plays from the start. It’s hoped they can integrate smoothly and keep advancing.
