As the WNBA resumes after its All-Star break, the New York Liberty stand as a formidable contender with a 15-6 record, second only to the 20-4 Minnesota Lynx. The Liberty’s championship potential has been a hot topic, fueled by their impressive performances and the critical role of star center Jonquel Jones.

Following their first-ever championship victory in October 2024, New York began the 2025 season on a historic note with nine straight wins, the best start in franchise history and among the top in league history. During this winning streak, the team showcased dominance by averaging 90.4 points per game and outscoring opponents by 19 points on average.

However, the momentum shifted after Jones suffered a right ankle sprain on June 5 against the Washington Mystics. Though she briefly returned, she re-injured the ankle on June 19 versus the Phoenix Mercury, sidelining her for over a month. This absence coincided with a stretch where the Liberty lost five of seven games, dropping from a 10-1 record to 12-6 in three weeks.

Point guard Sabrina Ionescu admitted to the team’s internal struggles during this stretch:

I think we were losing some of those games ourselves,

she reflected.

We were just not coming out with the right energy. We were not playing Liberty basketball.

—Sabrina Ionescu, Liberty Point Guard

Eventually, New York rediscovered its rhythm and headed into the All-Star break on a three-game win streak, symbolized by a commanding 98-77 victory over the Indiana Fever at the Barclays Center. Despite Indiana missing key guard Caitlin Clark due to injury, the Liberty’s performance sent a clear message of their resilience and strength.

Credit was given to coach Sandy Brondello for maintaining team cohesion through tough times. Ionescu stated,

Sandy continued to keep us together, which in a time like that can make or break teams,

adding,

You’re gonna hit adversity at some point in the season, and we hit it really early on. I think that’s just gonna continue to help us. We know how to deal with those adverse situations because we just went through it and were able to weather the storm.

—Sabrina Ionescu, Liberty Point Guard

Contributions of Role Players Sustain the Liberty During Jones’ Absence

During Jones’ injury period, New York demonstrated remarkable depth, leaning heavily on key role players to maintain momentum. Belgian forward Emma Meesseman has committed to joining the Liberty, as reported by Alexa Philoppou, in a move that could significantly enhance their roster. This follows the recent signing of veteran forward Stephanie Talbot, acquired after being waived by the Golden State Valkyries.

Though Meesseman’s signing depends on visa approval, her credentials as a former Finals MVP (2019) and three-time Euroleague MVP make her a valuable asset. Commentator Mick captured her quality by saying,

I legit think that people don’t understand HOW good Emma Meesseman is…She’s a 3x straight Euroleague MVP and in 2 of those years had Stewie and Phee on her own team yet was the best. Fiebich literally called her the “best player in the world” last month…

—Mick, Commentator

Even without Meesseman, the Liberty roster has excelled with strong contributions from several players stepping up during Jones’ absence. Forward Nyara Sabally, who has moved in and out of the starting lineup, started all three games before the break and provided stout interior defense, recording seven blocks across two games.

Coach Brondello praised Sabally’s defensive growth, noting,

She’s learning how to defend these post players,

and emphasized her importance on defense, especially against big opponents. Sabally played a crucial role in limiting Indiana’s All-Star center Aliyah Boston to just seven points on 1-of-8 shooting.

Isabelle Harrison, recovering from a knee injury, also contributed off the bench with solid performances, scoring nine points in each of the final two games prior to the break. Star forward Breanna Stewart lauded her impact:

I think Izzy has just been a pro’s pro and that’s what she brings to this team,

adding,

When her number is called, she’s ready. Whether it’s a steal or guarding a bigger player or just the hustle plays — she knows where to be, right place, right time, and she reads and reacts off of us really, really well.

—Breanna Stewart, Liberty Forward

Marine Johannes has also made a significant impact off the bench with her dynamic playstyle, often dazzling the crowd with creative shots and assists. Stewart commented on Johannes’ ability to energize the team:

We know that the crowd loves it, but we love it even more,

noting,

It’s hard to come in and have an immediate impact, but she does. We’re just happy to see her taking advantage of her moments and knowing when it’s her time to call her own number.

—Breanna Stewart, Liberty Forward

Johannes recently scored double figures twice in three games, including a standout 12-point performance against Indiana where she shot 4-of-5 from three-point range. Ionescu highlighted the difficulty of Johannes’ role:

It’s really hard to be able to come off the bench and be able to just find your rhythm that quick, from a shooter’s perspective,

and added,

It gives us a huge lift off the bench. There’s not many bench players in the league that are able to come out every single night and do what she is able to do.

—Sabrina Ionescu, Liberty Point Guard

Leonie Fiebich’s development has been notable over New York’s recent winning streak. After initially scoring in double digits just twice in 11 games this season, Fiebich hit double figures in three consecutive wins, including a season-high 21 points in a victory over the Atlanta Dream. Although Fiebich started all 14 games she appeared in, integrating her into the offense has been a challenge due to her low usage rate compared to other starters.

However, her efficiency is impressive, shooting 56.8% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. New York’s recent tactical adjustments have increased her involvement, signaling better offensive balance. Acknowledging Fiebich’s value, a midseason update said,

Midseason Check-In continues with Leonie Fiebich. The NY Liberty are 13-1 with her in the lineup this season. How are you feeling about her performance so far? Let us know.

Anticipating a Strong Second Half with Jones Back in Action

Jonquel Jones is expected to return to the court this Tuesday against the Indiana Fever, though she will likely be limited in minutes as she recovers from her ankle injury. As reported by Madeline Kenney,

Jonquel Jones anticipates she’ll be on a minutes restriction tonight — her first game in a month — but said to ask Sandy Brondello about the specifics.

—Madeline Kenney, Reporter

Although the Liberty have shown resilience during Jones’ absence, the Finals MVP’s presence clearly elevates New York’s performance and championship potential. With Jones back, the team solidifies its status as a top contender, potentially surpassing even the league-leading Lynx. The recent acquisition of Emma Meesseman will provide Head Coach Sandy Brondello with greater flexibility in managing both starting lineups and bench rotations.

Core starters Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, and Natasha Cloud remain foundational, while the competition for the final starting spot includes Leonie Fiebich, Emma Meesseman, Nyara Sabally, and Kennedy Burke. This depth is critical for sustaining a championship run.

Salary cap management has been a key element of the Liberty’s strategy. General Manager Jonathan Kolb has successfully assembled a talented roster by balancing veteran presence and productive role players on rookie or minimum contracts. One summary of the team’s financial structure highlighted,

Leonie- rookie contract, Nyara- rookie contract, Jaylyn- rookie contract, Marine- rookie contract, Izzy- vet min, Burke- vet min, Bek- rookie contract, Sab- 200K, Stewie- 200K, JJ-195K, Tash- 200K. Before signing Steph Talbot we had 154K in cap space Hope this helps.

—Libs in 4, Analyst

In addition to skill, the Liberty’s size advantages stand out. Should Emma Meesseman join the roster, New York would have six players standing at least 6-foot-3, including Isabelle Harrison, Breanna Stewart, Leonie Fiebich, Nyara Sabally, and Jonquel Jones. As one commentator noted,

Isabelle Harrison – 6’3, Emma Meesseman – 6’4, Breanna Stewart – 6’4, Leonie Fiebich – 6’4, Nyara Sabally – 6’5, Jonquel Jones – 6’6

—christan (no i), Analyst

This physical presence is expected to give the Liberty an edge on both ends of the court, empowering them to dominate rivals in the second half of the season and deep into the playoffs.

While championships cannot be claimed on paper alone—something New York fans know well from the Nets’ experiences with their star trio—the Liberty have constructed a roster that places them in a prime position to capture another title this October. Their combination of star power, depth, size, and effective management bolsters their championship potential, rallying New York’s fanbase behind a strong finish to the 2025 campaign.