Liberty journey sizzling streak into matchup with second-place Valkyries
Aug 22, 2026; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Liberty ahead Breanna Stewart (30) shoots the ball whereas defended by Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) through the first half at Barclays Middle. Obligatory Credit score: John Jones-Imagn Photographs It might need gone below the radar whereas different groups stored successful, however the New York Liberty rediscovered their kind over the previous 5 weeks.
After a satisfying victory over the Indiana Fever, the Liberty will purpose to maintain enjoying their finest basketball after they welcome the Golden State Valkyries on Thursday.
New York was simply 13-12 on the morning of July 20, removed from a lock for the postseason due partly to early-season accidents. Since then, the Liberty have gone 10-3, with solely the Minnesota Lynx and Washington Mystics successful extra video games in that span.
New York clinched a playoff spot whereas idle on Sunday when the Portland Hearth misplaced.
“We all know this staff has been via loads. However now we have plenty of struggle left in us,” Liberty ahead Breanna Stewart mentioned, per The Athletic. “… We simply need to proceed to make it really feel good and be firing on all cylinders defensively and have that affect (on) offense.”
The Liberty (23-15) stored up with Indiana’s league-leading offense and shot 57.8% total whereas sinking 11 3-pointers in a 109-102 residence win on Saturday. A free-throw discrepancy as soon as once more made the distinction: New York went 24-for-29 on the line to Indiana’s woeful 11-for-22, paying homage to the Liberty’s June 6 win over the Fever during which New York loved a 33-9 benefit in made free throws.
Stewart racked up 22 factors, eight rebounds and 7 assists on Saturday. Leonie Fiebich scored 20, and Jonquel Jones collected 19 factors and 10 rebounds.
Fiebich returned from a prolonged absence brought on by a foot harm, becoming a member of New York’s most popular beginning 5 alongside Stewart, Jones, Sabrina Ionescu and rookie guard Pauline Astier.
Given their present kind and well being, the Liberty might enhance their playoff seed over the ultimate stretch of the season. They enter Thursday tied for sixth place however simply 4 video games behind second-place Golden State (27-11).
The Valkyries will conclude a back-to-back after they steamrolled the Connecticut Solar 89-64 on Wednesday in Uncasville, Conn.
Golden State’s bench outpaced the starters within the newest win, the staff’s eighth up to now 10 outings. Reserves Janelle Salaun, Kaila Charles and Kaitlyn Chen scored 15, 14 and 10 factors, respectively, because the Valkyries set a franchise file with 54 bench factors.
“I believe we all know one another fairly nicely, and I believe it is one thing that that is our power,” Salaun mentioned. “We simply know learn how to play collectively, and we’re selfless gamers. I believe that is what (is) working for (us).”
–Subject Stage Media
