Barclays Center, Brooklyn—–The New York Liberty’s historic start to the season faced a setback Saturday night at the Barclays Center, where they fell to the Connecticut Sun, 72-67. The loss brought the Liberty’s record to 25-5, while the Sun improved to 22-7. Despite the defeat, the Liberty remained proud of their best start through 30 games in franchise history.
Connecticut took control early, with a narrow 40-38 lead at halftime. The Sun’s Marina Mabrey was a standout performer, contributing 11 points by halftime and finishing the game with 15 points. Olivia Nelson-Ododa also made a significant impact in the first half, adding 8 points to the Sun’s tally.
“Sometimes you need a little punch in the face to wake you up a little bit,” Brondello said.
For the Liberty, Breanna Stewart was a dominant force, recording a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds. Stewart’s effort on the boards was a crucial factor in New York’s ability to stay competitive, as the Liberty notched at least 10 offensive rebounds for the fourth consecutive game. This achievement tied them for the second-longest streak of any team in the WNBA this season.
Sabrina Ionescu added drama to the game with a big three-pointer at the buzzer, bringing her total to 8 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Sun’s determined effort. The Liberty fought hard to close the gap in the final moments, but Connecticut’s defense held firm, sealing the victory.
“I just didn’t think we had our usual flow, Brondello said. We’re not an iso team, and I thought we got into too much iso. That doesn’t play well with us, so we gotta get back to what our true identity is and that’s moving the ball and creating for each other.”
The defeat was a reminder of the competitive nature of the league, as the Sun demonstrated their resilience and ability to challenge one of the WNBA’s top teams. Despite the loss, the Liberty remain a formidable force in the league and will look to bounce back in their next outing.
