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Jones vs. Griner (Stewart got the ball)
Morrow fouled on a shotGardner made two free throws, the first of which was hitGardner hit his second free throwGreener missed a hook shotJohannes defensive reboundIonescu drifted and missed the shotThe Sunshine got a defensive reboundMiller missed a three-point shotStewart defensive reboundMiller committed a personal foulStewart missed a two-point jumperBurke defensive reboundsMorrow received an assist from Burke and hit a two-point layupMiller fouled on a shotJones made two free throws, the first of which was hitSunshine made a substitution, and Ledger Walker came on to replace MillerJones hit his second free throwMorrow missed a jumperStewart defensive reboundJones missed a jumperMorrow defensive reboundsBurke stepped on the line and made a mistake in passingStewart received an assist from Ionescu and hit a backhand layupGreener received an assist from Rivers and hit a two-point jumperJohannes missed a breakthrough layupRivers defensive reboundRivers hit a two-point layupJohannes hit a three-pointerLedger Walker missed a breakthrough layupJohannes defensive reboundJones missed a three-point stoppage jumperGriner defensive reboundsGreener received an assist from Rivers and hit a three-pointerIonescu missed a jumper from a pull-up shotMorrow defensive reboundsLedger Walker stepped on the line and made a mistake in passingSunshine made a substitution, and Oduda came on to replace MorrowLedger Walker committed a personal foulJohannes missed a three-point shotGriner defensive reboundsRivers missed a jumper from a pull-up shotStewart defensive reboundIonescu stepped on the line and made a mistake
Official suspensionThe libero made a substitution, and Anne Lee came on to replace JohannesThe libero made a substitution, and Han Xu came on to replace JonesGreener hit a two-point shotHan Xu missed a jumper from a pull-up shotThe Liberty got an offensive reboundSunshine made a substitution, and Nipkens came on to replace BurkeThe free agent made a substitution, and Fowler came on to replace GardnerThe libero made a substitution, and Astille came on to replace StewartRivers fouled on a shotAnnelie made three free throws, the first of which was hitAnnie Lee hit her second free throwAnnelie hit the third free throwFowler committed a personal foulThe libero made a substitution, and Johannes came on to replace IonescuOduda received an assist from Rivers and scored on a breakthrough layupFowler missed a three-point shotHan Xu offensive reboundHan Xu missed a jumperAnnelie offensive reboundAnnelie hit a jumperLedger Walker fouled on a shotAnnelee hit a free throwAstille committed a personal foulRivers missed a jumper from a pull-up shotOduda offensive reboundAstille committed a personal foulOduda's layup was blocked by Han XuOduda offensive reboundOduda lost the ball and the ball was stolen by Han XuHan Xu missed a three-point shotRivers defensive reboundRivers made a mistake in passing and the ball was stolen by JohannesFowler's step-back jumper was blocked by RiversThe Sunshine got a defensive reboundThe libero made a substitution, and Stewart came on to replace Annie LeeThe libero made a substitution, and Jones came on to replace Han XuSunshine made a substitution, and the Bills came on to replace GrinerThe Bills received an assist from Rivers and hit a three-point shotOduda fouled off the ballAstille made two free throws, the first of which was hitSunshine made a substitution, and Turner came on to replace RiversAstille hit his second free throwOduda received an assist from Nipkens and hit a two-point shotJones received an assist from Stewart and hit a three-pointerOduda missed a two-point jumperNipkens offensive reboundNipkens hit a jumperOduda shot foulAstille made two free throws, the first of which was hitAstille hit his second free throwOduda made a mistake in passing and the ball was stolen by JohannesAstille received an assist from Johannes and hit a two-point shotThe Bills missed a jumperJones defensive reboundsThe first quarter endsThe New York Liberty opened their 2026 WNBA campaign with a commanding 79-67 road victory over the Connecticut Sun on Monday night, showcasing the depth and defensive intensity that made them champions last season. The Liberty, playing their first game since raising a championship banner at Barclays Center, controlled the tempo from start to finish at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Game Summary
The Liberty seized control early, holding the Sun to just 14 points in the first quarter while building a 24-14 lead. New York’s defensive pressure never relented, forcing 17 turnovers and converting them into 22 fast-break points. Breanna Stewart led all scorers with 22 points and 9 rebounds, while Sabrina Ionescu added 18 points and 7 assists. For Connecticut, Alyssa Thomas posted a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, but the Sun struggled to find consistent offense against a Liberty defense that ranked first in the league last season.
Key Moments
- First-quarter surge: New York opened the game on a 12-3 run and never trailed. Stewart scored 8 points in the frame.
- Third-quarter response: Connecticut cut the deficit to single digits twice in the third quarter, but Liberty answered each run. Ionescu hit a step-back three at the third-quarter buzzer to push the lead back to 15.
- Athletes Unlimited star shines: Newly acquired guard Betnijah Laney-Hamilton came off the bench to score 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including two triples in the fourth quarter that sealed the victory.
Tactical Story
Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello deployed a switching defense that neutralized Connecticut’s pick-and-roll game. The Sun’s DeWanna Bonner, held to 8 points on 3-of-11 shooting, couldn’t find space against the length of Stewart and Jonquel Jones. Offensively, New York ran a five-out motion that created driving lanes for Ionescu and kicks to shooters like Kayla Thornton, who went 3-for-5 from deep.
Standout Performers
- Breanna Stewart: 22 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks. The reigning Finals MVP was a plus-18 in her 32 minutes.
- Sabrina Ionescu: 18 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds. Controlled the pace and hit timely shots.
- Alyssa Thomas: 12 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists. Worked tirelessly but lacked support from her backcourt.
Season Impact
The Liberty improve to 1-0 in the early season standings, sending an early message to the rest of the league that their championship core remains intact. The Sun, now 0-1, will look to rebound quickly as they face the Las Vegas Aces on Wednesday. The Liberty return home to host the Chicago Sky on Friday in what promises to be an emotional night when they officially raise their 2025 championship banner.