Even with its entire starting lineup available, it would have been difficult for the Liberty to survive at the end of a stretch that saw them play five games in eight days.
But point guard Courtney VanderSloot has missed the past three games for personal reasons, adding another layer of complexity to the situation on top of the Commissioner’s Cup and back-to-back scheduled games.
A day after a win over the previously unbeaten Connecticut Sun that Sabrina Ionescu described as a “statement,” the Liberty avoided an upset by the winless Washington Mystics on Sunday with a 93-88 victory behind 29 points from Jonquel Jones and various contributions from other players.
This was a game about survival rather than a convincing victory, and it wasn’t until late in the fourth quarter that the Liberty extended their lead, making enough free throws and seeing Jade Melbourne’s chance to tie the game in the final seconds bounce off the rim.
But the Liberty ultimately won the Commissioner’s Cup, riding a seven-game winning streak and setting up a WNBA Finals rematch against the Aces on Saturday.
Jones led the Liberty with a season-high in points, Ionescu had 18 and Leonie Fiebic, whose role continues to expand, added 12 points.
Cohesion was the big strength the Liberty brought to the season in Year 2 of the superteam: They returned their entire 2023 starting lineup.
Both MVPs on their roster have signed contracts to return.
And while that was the foundation of their early success, they still needed to build a bench. A rotation to nail.
Having Fiebic, Kennedy Burke, Kayla Thornton and Ivana Dojkic work together with the starters.
There were signs that this was coming, such as when Thornton was inserted into the starting lineup in place of VanderSloot, who was nursing a back injury, on May 31 and recorded 20 points, four assists and five steals.
Fiebic has been on the rise recently, and as the Mystics continued to find a way back on Sunday, Fiebic made three key 3-pointers to help the Liberty keep up the pace.
Jones scored 15 of Liberty’s 45 points in the first half, making two 3-pointers to help the team lead at the end of the first quarter.
In one second-half moment, she knocked down a shot, stole the ball on the other side, picked up her own missed layup, drew a foul and made both free throws.
She continued to be the focal point of Liberty’s offense in the second half, but then Fiebic and others started contributing.
Fiebic was also part of Liberty’s final offensive effort in the bottom of the fourth against Thornton, keeping the Mystics within striking distance.
Mysha Hines Allen made two free throws to cut the lead to five with 3:30 left in the game.
It took until the final moments for the Liberty to survive an eight-day stretch undefeated.
The first phase of the challenge begins with five games.
Breanna Stewart said last week that it was “crazy.” But come Monday, the obstacle for the Liberty will be overcoming a five-day stretch without a game and then facing Las Vegas on Saturday for the first time since losing in the WNBA Finals.
The Liberty has completed the first stage of early season testing and now the Aces are waiting.
