Liberty Faces Challenges Without Key Players
LOS ANGELES — This season, the Liberty have been experimenting with various lineups while trying to find effective solutions.
With Leoni Fievich and Sato Sabally out, the main concern for coach Chris DeMarco is how to contain opposing elite guards.
Despite securing a win on Wednesday, the last game before the All-Star break, the Liberty struggled against Sky rookie Sidney Taylor, who scored 31 points on 9-of-17 shooting, including 4-of-7 from three-point range.
Fievich and Sabally, the Liberty’s most adaptable wing defenders, usually handle the toughest assignments on defense. Their absence noticeably impacts the team’s ability to defend against teams with high-scoring backcourt players.
It’s clear that no single player can compensate for the defensive capabilities lost with Fievich and Sabally unavailable.
“Losing those two is a big deal, especially because of their size,” Rebecca Allen noted on Monday. “But it’s not just about individual matchups; it requires a team effort. If you approach the game as a one-on-one contest, it complicates everything,” she added.
Allen pointed out that effectively managing these dynamic guards needs support from all defensive levels.
“It’s always a balance between knowing your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses while also having teammates to back you up. Everyone makes mistakes,” she explained. “It helps to have defenders with size, like Jonquel Jones, and being aware of the guard’s positioning next to them. It’s really about collective effort, not just one player shutting down a key opponent.”
This strategy proves challenging with two of the team’s most versatile defenders sidelined and no clear timeline for their return. The Liberty is set to face the Sparks next as they navigate this situation.
Fievich, who missed over three weeks due to a left foot injury, was in Los Angeles and practiced individually on Monday. In contrast, Sabally could not travel, and her status remains unclear following a concussion.
Adding to these difficulties, Betoniyah Rainey-Hamilton has not played in the last three games despite being available. Her situation has raised speculation about the possibility of a trade before the August 2 deadline.
Additionally, Laney Hamilton has not returned to her pre-injury form, and inconsistent playing time complicates her re-establishment within the team. Without Laney Hamilton available, the Liberty may find it challenging to combat explosive opposing guards. This could be something general manager Jonathan Kolb may need to address through a midseason trade.
The Liberty’s defensive strategy shifts based on the opponents they face.
“It really depends on the matchup,” DeMarco stated. “For example, early on with Taylor, Bec Allen was quick to shoot…so we’ll bring in an additional defender to exert pressure and force decisions. You have to construct a game plan based on how to handle player dynamics.”
Meanwhile, Marine Fortu, a development player with the Liberty, has been selected for training camp with the France women’s team for the 2026 World Cup, starting August 19, which includes several friendlies against Italy and China.
The Liberty play in Chicago on August 18 and have three more games scheduled before the World Cup pause. They might miss Fortu, who’s averaged six points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists over the past two games.
In other news, Marin Johannes, who missed last week’s game against the Chicago Sky with an ankle injury, has recovered and participated fully in practice. “She felt good today,” DeMarco remarked. “She’s definitely close to playing tomorrow.”
