The Liberty Surge Ahead in Second Half with Depth, Defense, and Determination
The New York Liberty are charging into the latter half of the WNBA season with renewed energy, upgraded talent, and a solid sense of cohesion. Despite a brief break for the All-Star festivities, where Sabrina Ionescu clinched another 3-Point Contest title and Natasha Cloud won the Skills Challenge, the team never lost its momentum. With the return of key players and the acquisition of major contributors like former Finals MVP Emma Meesseman and seasoned guard Stephanie Talbot, the Liberty look stronger than ever. These developments come as the squad carried a three-game win streak into the post-All-Star portion of the calendar.
Yet, the biggest storyline wasn’t the accolades or the new faces—it was the return of star forward Jonquel Jones. Tuesday night’s matchup against the Caitlin Clark-less Indiana Fever marked a significant moment for New York as the defending Eastern Conference champions welcomed Jones back from injury. Her return symbolized far more than a lineup change—it was a reassertion of their championship ambition.
Jones wasted no time reintroducing herself to the court, draining a corner three-pointer to start the scoring, stirring fans into an early frenzy. For a moment, it seemed the Liberty were going to bulldoze their way to a dominant win and perhaps set the tone for a title run in the second half. But as seasoned fans of the WNBA know, predicting outcomes based on opening plays is often a fool’s errand. This league, rich in parity and depth, rarely grants easy victories.
By halftime, that initial optimism had waned somewhat. Indiana, playing without their most high-profile star in Clark, still managed to outpace New York through two quarters. The Fever took a 46-42 lead into the break, showcasing the brand of stingy, tactical defense that helped them win this year’s Commissioner’s Cup title—another victory they earned even in Clark’s absence.
One of Indiana’s keys to success was the aggressive on-ball defense by Aari McDonald, who relentlessly pressured Ionescu. The typically reliable Liberty guard had a miserable first half, shooting just 1-of-9 from the field. Rather than adapting to the intensity, Ionescu appeared rushed and frustrated, forcing difficult shots and attacking the paint with more urgency than clarity. Her decision-making didn’t reflect her usual standard, and the offense suffered because of it.
But the story of the first half wasn’t merely about individual struggles—it was about Indiana’s collective effort on the defensive end. Rather than leaning heavily on switching schemes, the Fever focused on navigating around screens, avoiding mismatches and keeping New York’s ballhandlers uncomfortable. The Liberty, known for their fluid motion and crisp ball movement, instead found themselves leaning on one-on-one efforts, lacking the familiar offensive rhythm that has defined their success this season.
That disjointed play continued through much of the third quarter, as New York found itself trailing 67-60 with just three minutes left in the period. Offensively, they managed to stay afloat, scoring just enough to keep things close, but their defense remained uninspiring. They struggled to contain Indiana’s perimeter play, often allowing guards to penetrate freely and failing to rotate in time to provide secondary help. Despite having a size advantage inside, the Liberty couldn’t steer the action toward their post defenders.
Then, a switch flipped.
With the game teetering, the Liberty finally reconnected with the identity that had propelled them to one of the league’s best records. Shots started to fall more consistently from long range, and the defensive energy that had been missing suddenly returned. The team began pressuring Indiana into turnovers, leading to transition opportunities and fast break scores. What had been a sluggish performance morphed into a clinic on two-way basketball.
At the center of the surge, as expected, was Jonquel Jones. Though she played just 23 minutes due to her recent return from injury, her impact was undeniable. The reigning Finals MVP recorded 18 points and nine rebounds, delivering in every way imaginable—whether it was posting up against mismatches, crashing the boards, or stretching the floor with three triples. Head coach Sandy Brondello summarized her influence succinctly after the game: “She does everything for us.”
Jones herself spoke candidly about the emotional journey of returning to the court. “It was obviously difficult to, you know, not be able to suit up, and just having to go through all of the rehab processes and stuff like that, and knowing that you weren’t going to play. So there was a little bit of ups and downs emotionally, I’m not gonna lie,” she admitted. “But you know, all my teammates were there for me and constantly talking to me.”
Her teammates had her back on the court, too. With Nyara Sabally sidelined again, Isabelle Harrison stepped into the backup center role and flourished. In 17 productive minutes, Harrison scored 13 points and grabbed five rebounds, missing just one shot. Considering she was signed as a depth piece at the bottom of the roster, her performance far exceeded expectations.
Jones praised Harrison’s readiness and feel for the game. “You see the difference when a player that’s been in the system a while and like, really understands the expectations, the movements, the ways that they can affect the game. And I think you really see that with Izzy now, is that she’s really feeling it, and she understands what we’re trying to do.”
The Liberty’s depth shone throughout the second half. Jones and Harrison provided muscle and scoring inside. Breanna Stewart (often simply called “Stewie”) delivered her usual all-around brilliance. Leonie Fiebich, meanwhile, continued to impress with her consistency, hitting five of seven shots for a season-high 17 points. Even Ionescu, after a brutal start, found her groove late in the game, drilling several crucial baskets to put the contest out of reach.
Brondello, reflecting on the game, credited the defensive adjustments as the turning point. “I think it was doing our work earlier, playing a little bit more physical, staying true to our principles, which is what we didn’t do in the first half. Communicating, being on the same page.” That defensive buy-in translated into results. Indiana managed just three points over a seven-minute stretch spanning the end of the third and the beginning of the fourth quarters. That dry spell effectively sealed the game.
With the 98-84 victory, the Liberty improved to 16-6, solidifying their place among the WNBA’s elite. Fueled by superstar talent, savvy coaching, and an increasingly cohesive bench unit, the team appears well-positioned for a deep playoff run. And judging by the postgame energy, the players are enjoying every second of the ride.
Injury Watch: Sabally’s Knee Still an Ongoing Concern
The Liberty almost had a full roster at their disposal on Tuesday, but that ideal fell short when Nyara Sabally was ruled out ahead of the matchup. She didn’t participate in the morning shootaround, a subtle signal that something might be off. Later that day, she was officially listed as “OUT” with rest, though Brondello clarified the decision stemmed from discomfort in Sabally’s knee.
Sabally missed the start of the season due to ongoing issues with her right knee, and this latest absence raised new concerns. Brondello noted the decision was precautionary: “It was more like, ‘Well, guess what? We’ve got two games coming up, so let’s just get you ready for Friday and be smart.’ We’re always about big picture, making sure we’re taking care of the athlete. And, you know, she’s getting good treatment. We plan to have her back on Friday.”
Big Additions: Meesseman and Talbot Bolster the Liberty Core
In addition to Jones’ return and the evolving chemistry of the current rotation, New York’s front office made significant moves during the All-Star break. Chief among them was the commitment from Belgian star Emma Meesseman to join the team as soon as her visa issues are resolved. While she hasn’t yet taken the court, her future presence is already being celebrated.
“She’s a great player,” Brondello said prior to Tuesday’s game. “I think she’ll fit into the system very easily with the way that we play as a team at both ends of the floor, but, you know, you still have to put it all together.” General Manager Jonathan Kolb added that her desire to compete for a championship likely factored heavily into her decision to join the Liberty. “She wants to win. That’s her number-one goal,” Kolb stated. “I think she looked at our roster and saw a lot of familiarity from her past.”
Indeed, Meesseman is hardly entering foreign territory. She has previously played with five current Liberty players—Jones, Stewart, Cloud, Gardner, and Sabally—and has experience under both Brondello and assistant coach Olaf Lange. Such continuity bodes well for a quick transition once she’s eligible to play.
As for Stephanie Talbot, her path back to the WNBA was far more immediate. Recently waived by the Golden State Valkyries, Talbot was quickly scooped up by New York and was present at shootaround before making her team debut against Indiana. Her reasoning for joining the Liberty was twofold: familiarity and positional fit.
“I think the main reason is the easy transition, and also being able to go back and play my natural position as a guard,” Talbot explained. “At Golden State, I played a lot as a power forward or a post player.” With Brondello being a long-time figure in Australian basketball and having coached Talbot on the national team, the connection made sense.
Kolb noted that Talbot checks all the boxes the Liberty look for in a player. “We know the type of players we like: positional size, ability to stretch the floor, but also be switchable defensively, and also hold their own, guarding up. I think that Steph is able to do that.”
Final Thoughts: A Promising Path Ahead
With a reinvigorated roster, improved health (barring Sabally), and a few high-caliber additions, the Liberty’s second-half outlook is brighter than ever. The team is finding its rhythm on both ends of the floor, relying on elite talent, team-oriented schemes, and a balanced approach to both offense and defense. Tuesday night’s win wasn’t just a result—it was a statement. The Liberty are ready for more.
And as the team continues to gel and prepare for postseason intensity, one thing is abundantly clear: Liberty World is alive and thriving.
Final Score: New York Liberty 98, Indiana Fever 84
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