Chicago, IL—The New York Liberty closed out their 2025 regular season in uneventful fashion, coasting to a comfortable win over the Chicago Sky. In a game that felt more like a light scrimmage than a season finale, New York cruised past a disjointed Sky team, finishing the season with their 44th win and zero drama — exactly what head coach Sandy Brondello hoped for ahead of the playoffs.
This was only the second time all season that Brondello had access to her full roster, including midseason addition Emma Meesseman. More importantly, the Liberty emerged unscathed — no injuries, no surprises, just a stress-free ending to a turbulent four-month campaign.
Meanwhile, Chicago looked ready to clock out. With trade rumors swirling around rookie standout Angel Reese and visible dysfunction on the court, the Sky put up minimal resistance. The Liberty repeatedly sliced through their defense in the first half, walking into a parade of uncontested layups via backdoor cuts. It didn’t take much effort to take a 56–44 lead into halftime.
New York led by as many as 17, though predictably, the margin shrunk when Breanna Stewart went to the bench. Still, Stewart remains the one constant. After battling injuries earlier this year, she’s regained her full form heading into the postseason. Against Chicago, she tallied 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists on 9-of-14 shooting — all in a controlled, efficient performance. She impacted every facet of the game, from transition plays to help defense to midrange jumpers.
But when Stewart sits, New York’s weaknesses are more visible — especially when it comes to Jonquel Jones. Since returning from injury after the All-Star break, Jones hasn’t looked like herself. While she still draws defensive attention and shoots over 40% from deep, her energy and consistency have faded. Thursday’s lackluster showing wasn’t her easing off — it looked more like her current baseline. For New York to make a real run, Jones has to snap out of it. If not, Brondello will have tough decisions to make — particularly with Meesseman looking sharp again in limited minutes.
One possible adjustment? The triple-big lineup.
Brondello hinted pregame at giving it another shot, and she delivered. For nearly four minutes, Stewart, Jones, and Meesseman shared the floor — a rare look that saw the Liberty outscore the Sky 10–8. Later, Brondello swapped out Jones for Izzy Harrison, keeping the “three bigs” concept alive.
“What worked is we gave each other space to operate,” Stewart said afterward. “Earlier in the year, we were kind of stepping on each other’s toes. Now it’s more about letting one action play out, then flowing into the next.”
Brondello called the lineup “successful” and suggested it could be a real option in their first-round playoff matchup against the Phoenix Mercury.
One player who remains on the outside looking in: Marine Johannès. The dynamic guard didn’t see action until garbage time, with Meesseman, Kennedy Burke, and Rebekah Gardner getting priority off the bench.
Gardner, in particular, made the most of her opportunity. She finished with a season-high 15 points on a perfect 5-of-5 shooting night — a satisfying finale to a rocky comeback season. After missing last year’s title run with an Achilles injury and nearly falling out of the rotation this August, Gardner now appears poised to contribute in the playoffs.
“I’ve just tried to step up wherever I can,” Gardner said. “This year’s had its ups and downs, but I’ve learned so much from last season. I’m ready to go win another championship.”
By the third quarter, with Jones on the bench and the Liberty up double digits, the game transitioned into cruise control. Chicago’s bench outperformed New York’s reserves down the stretch, but with the outcome long settled, that was hardly cause for concern. Nyara Sabally even chipped in a few points to cap off her irregular season.
Reflecting on the 2025 campaign, it’s hard to pin down exactly what this Liberty team became. They didn’t experience a championship hangover — they started the season red-hot — but the dominance quickly fizzled. Wins often felt labored. Losses were exasperating. Meesseman’s arrival brought a necessary jolt, but the team never quite recaptured its swagger from last year’s title run.
Still, the pieces are there. The core remains intact. And while chemistry and rhythm have been elusive, the postseason offers a fresh start. If the Liberty can align just enough to let their top eight shine, there’s still hope for a repeat.
Now, the real test begins.
New York opens the playoffs against the Phoenix Mercury, the #4 seed, in a best-of-three first-round series. Game 1 tips off Sunday at 5:00 p.m. ET in Phoenix.
