Brooklyn, NY—The New York Liberty soared to a 4-0 start after a commanding 74-63 victory over the Seattle Storm on Monday night, marking their best season kickoff in 17 years.
Sabrina Ionescu led the charge with a stellar 20-point performance, supported by Breanna Stewart’s double-double of 16 points and 11 boards. This win echoes their last triumphant start in 2007 when they clinched their first five games before facing a tougher season ahead.
Seattle, led by Jewell Loyd’s 13 points and nine rebounds, struggled to keep pace with New York’s relentless offense. Despite a spirited effort in the final frame, they couldn’t bridge the gap, ending the game trailing by nine points.
New York dominated early, seizing a commanding 27-15 lead in the first quarter fueled by Ionescu’s dynamic playmaking. The Storm, fatigued from a back-to-back game, faltered in the face of Liberty’s relentless pressure.
Star forward Nneka Ogwumike’s absence due to injury further compounded Seattle’s challenges. The game’s pace slowed in the second quarter, with both teams managing only nine points each, but New York maintained a comfortable 36-24 lead at halftime.
Three-point shooting was a struggle for both sides, with a combined 2 for 24 from downtown in the first half. Despite this, the Liberty’s prowess from beyond the arc, evidenced by their 15 treys in the previous game, remained a threat.
Looking ahead, the Storm will host the Indiana Fever on Thursday, while the Liberty will welcome the Chicago Sky, led by former Liberty star Teresa Weatherspoon, and rookie sensation Angel Reese, marking an exciting clash in the WNBA landscape.
