The Liberty are still in the process of figuring out their identity this season, but Jonquel Jones has a clear vision of what the team should represent.
Toughness, unity, and tenacity—these are the characteristics she wants the Liberty to embody.
“I want our team to reflect the resiliency of this city. That’s the essence of New York pride,” Jones expressed after their 84-74 win on Wednesday.
“New York basketball has a rich history of that, and I believe we’re starting to get there.”
The win against the Mercury marked a positive step forward after a tough start to the season for the Liberty, who had been struggling to find their footing in the first few weeks.
New York bounced back from a slow third quarter by going on a remarkable 23-0 run, building a 17-point lead going into the final quarter.
The Liberty’s strong defense, characterized by pressing and trapping, seemed to unsettle Phoenix, leading to six turnovers in the last three minutes of that quarter. They made it clear they weren’t going to allow the Mercury easy scoring opportunities.
“We defended like we’ve never done before,” Leonie Fievich remarked. “There was a different vibe out there. The lineup was really versatile, and we were applying pressure. It was exhilarating to play defense during that stretch. The bench players brought a lot of energy, too, which was fantastic.”
Jones was particularly notable, demonstrating her defensive strength and rebounding, limiting opponents’ chances. “We did a great job adjusting in the second half; we were really tight on their 3-point shooters. They had too many clean looks early on,” said Brianna Stewart.
Overall, it was a collective effort. The challenge now, however, lies in sustaining that level of performance.
The Liberty are aware that the Mercury, who are on a four-game losing streak, will likely come out stronger in their rematch on Friday.
“They’ll be fired up,” Fibitsch stated. “But we need to maintain that high energy on defense. That’ll be key. Sure, shots may or may not fall, but defense is crucial.”
First-year coach Chris DeMarco faces the challenge of adjusting lineups due to injuries and absences. On Wednesday, Sato Sabally (who was feeling unwell) intended to play but got ruled out just before the game started.
Sabrina Ionescu also missed the game due to a back injury. DeMarco is eager for the Liberty to prove themselves as one of the league’s top defensive teams if they commit to it.
“We have it in us,” he noted. “We’ve known it, we just needed to feel that momentum. Looking at our roster, we have the versatility. When we ramp up the intensity, we can substitute effectively. This was a significant moment for us.”
“We’ve been discussing this; our goal was to be aggressive. I think we’re on the right path, but… well, it’s just one game, and each game presents its own challenges.”
