The New York Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx in a winner-take-all Game 5 in the WNBA Finals last season, winning the franchise’s first league title.
Now, the dynamic duo of Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart are tasked with climbing their way back up the mountain top and repeating as league champions.
There’s every reason to think that the Liberty are entirely capable of repeating as league champions. New York is returning loads of experience from last season’s championship roster.
Stewart, Ionescu, and reigning WNBA Finals MVP Jonquel Jones are all back for the Liberty, and each landed in ESPN’s top seven of preseason player rankings.
If anything, the Liberty are even deeper this season than they were last year, thanks to expanded roles for Leonie Fiebich and Nyara Sabally, coupled with the additions of Natasha Cloud, Marine Johannes, and Rebekah Gardner.
The additions of Cloud and Johannes, in particular, make the Liberty a serious threat in every matchup. Cloud is known for her stifling defense and leadership, while Johannes is nothing short of a walking highlight reel.
It’s hard to repeat as champions in North American sports, but the Liberty appear to be uniquely poised to pull off the feat, which would make them the fourth franchise to do so, joining the Las Vegas Aces (2022-23), Los Angeles Sparks (2001-02) and Houston Comets (1997-2000), per ESPN.
