It seems that the Liberty basketball team may be facing a significant turning point.
What began as an optimistic season, with hopes of reclaiming the top position in the WNBA, concluded with a disappointing semifinal loss, as they fell 85-83 to the Dream in Game 3. This match, held on Friday night, was played in front of a packed audience of 17,991 at Barclays Center.
If this indeed marks the end of the Liberty’s golden era—sparked by Breanna Stewart’s arrival in 2023 and culminating in a championship in 2024—they certainly fought hard until the end.
“This is just a tough pill to swallow,” reflected Jonquel Jones, who delivered an impressive performance with 26 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks. “We know how talented we are, and each year brings the goal of contending for and ultimately winning the championship. We didn’t manage to achieve that this year.”
That makes it two years in a row. The issue wasn’t merely their final-four finish, but how the team often lost momentum throughout the season—due to injuries (affecting players like Sabrina Ionescu and new addition Satou Sabally), roster changes (like Betnijah Laney-Hamilton’s exit), and first-year coach Chris DeMarco’s challenging introduction to the league. Now, they’re left with another year without that trophy moment.
Wrapping up the season with a 26-18 record placed the Liberty in eighth position, and they managed a 2-3 performance in the postseason. Although they secured a thrilling victory against the top-seeded Lynx in the first round, it swiftly turned into a disheartening exit at the hands of the Dream.
“Consistency is essential. I don’t believe we were consistent throughout,” commented Stewart. “We showed some sparks of potential toward the end and in the playoffs, but preparing for the championship isn’t like cramming for a test. You have to hit the ground running from the start.”
The Liberty struggled to match the strength and speed of a Dream squad featuring its own rising stars, like Angel Reese and Rhyne Howard, who are now establishing themselves among the league’s elite—where the Liberty had been just a few seasons ago.
Now, with the Valkyries also noted as a troublesome matchup for the Liberty, they will join the Dream in competing for the Finals.
A period of reflection and possible significant changes lies ahead for a franchise that holds high expectations for success.
“I believe in this locker room, and I have faith in our roster, and I think we had enough to go all the way,” DeMarco shared.
However, questions swirl around DeMarco’s future. He has expressed his intention to return in 2027.
After a Game 2 defeat that included a memorable moment when DeMarco and the Liberty did not utilize a crucial reset timeout before their last play, Game 3 delivered a more typical nail-biting experience.
Leading 71-66 early in the fourth quarter, the Liberty went over five minutes without scoring, allowing the Dream to pull ahead 9-0.
Down by two with just 18 seconds remaining, the Liberty crafted a play for Stewart out of a timeout, but it fell short.
“Winning a WNBA championship is incredibly challenging, and having reached the Finals twice early on perhaps made it feel like it would be a yearly occurrence,” Stewart observed. “But this journey isn’t simple, and winning isn’t something to take for granted.”
Stewart left everything on the court. After a stellar season where she consistently carried the team, finishing in the top five for MVP voting and logging significant minutes, she played for nearly 39 minutes in Game 3, scoring 26 points (with 6-of-15 shooting), adding four rebounds, and six assists.
Ionescu, part of the team’s esteemed Big 3, ended the game with 12 points on 4-of-12 shooting, capping off a challenging season largely affected by a back injury.
“You never really know how things will turn out,” Ionescu reflected, “but I truly appreciate the group we have. The three of us put our hearts into making this work for our organization and the fans who consistently showed up for us.”
