Now in their second year as a superteam, the Liberty have all five of their core players working together again in the regular season as they look to avenge their loss at last year's WNBA Finals.
But even though Liberty is in top shape heading into the postseason, their starting pitching staff is not what it was a year ago.
Seasoned veteran Courtney VanderSloot came off the bench in Game 1 of the Liberty vs. the Dream on Sunday, winning 83-69.
Instead of starting the 2021 WNBA champion at guard, the Liberty opted for rookie Leonie Fiebic, who scored a team-high 21 points in her 16th start of the season, but her first start unrelated to an injury to a teammate.
It was VanderSloot's first time coming off the bench in a WNBA game since 2017, when she was with the Chicago Sky.
VanderSloot, a 14-year veteran of the team, took the news in stride as he discussed his postseason role with coach Sandy Brondello at practice on Saturday.
“Leo came in as a replacement and was big for us even with all the problems he had with injuries and everything. So the starting line-up is not new for her and I think you felt that right away,” Vandersloot told reporters after the game. “She's comfortable there. She fits perfectly into that group. For me, the mentality didn't change. It's the same. I just wanted to spark the team off the bench. It's definitely new for me. Yes, it's going to take some time to get used to because it's different. I don't have that experience, but that's OK. It's going to take time.”
“But I was really happy with Leo. I thought it was a really great adjustment for us. And, you know, she was unbelievable tonight.”
The adjustments are something Brondello plans to continue into the postseason, with the Liberty looking to clinch a best-of-three series with Game 2 on Tuesday at Barclays Center and reach the semifinals.
The change was made to avoid a “thick” attack, as VanderSloot described it, and spread out the playmakers herself, Betnijah Rainey-Hamilton and Sabrina Ionescu.
Liberty during their Game 1 victory on September 22nd. Michel Farsi of the New York Post
Coach Brondello wanted VanderSloot to take on a leadership role on the second unit during the playoffs.
“I think we just talked about it. I've always been very respectful. I trust Sloot. It's nothing special,” Brondello said after Game 1. “It was always going to be the best lineup to help us out. … So she's done a good job of that. She wants to win. That says a lot about her mentality. What's best for the team is best for her. … For now, I'll leave it at that, but I'll do whatever I think is best for the team at the time.”
Still, Vandersloot delivered more than Brondello expected.
She had four points, three assists, three rebounds and two steals in 16 minutes.
She also made WNBA history by passing past Sue Bird, who was sitting courtside among the 12,115 fans at Barclays Center, to Breanna Stewart for her 365th playoff assist, making her the league's all-time leader in playoff assists.
“I think Sloot responded like a veteran and like a leader,” Stewart said. “There were no roadblocks or adjustments. She wants what's best for this team and I know she'll be able to contribute whenever it's her time to step on the court. It's really awesome that she can be the playoffs' all-time assist leader, but it's even better that I got to clinch it.”
It's been a difficult season for Vandersloot, who missed almost a month due to the death of his mother, Jean, who battled cancer for two years.
VanderSloot is averaging just 6.4 points and 4.8 assists this season, down from his 10.5 points and 8.1 assists in 2023. But he finally found his rhythm after the month-long Olympic break, recording three double-figure scoring games, including a 15-point, 11-assist double-double against the Wings in August.
