Brondello Has NY Liberty On A Mission
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Shara Talia Taylor
The New York Liberty, now 21-4, have a break after an 82-74 win over the Connecticut Sun (18-6) Thursday at the Barclays Center.
The Liberty will return in August with the league’s best record following WNBA All-Star activities and the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games. Sabrina Ionescu, who led the New York’s offense with 30 points, six rebounds, and five assists in Thursday’s game, will play on Team USA at the All-Star weekend and at the Olympics.
“I just want to take it all in and do the best that I can,” Ionescu said about going to the summer games.
Liberty starter Breanna Stewart, who will also play on Team USA at the All-Star weekend and at the Olympics, was listed as out of the game for rest. Another starter, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton sat out due to a knee injury Thursday. The team announced through a tweet that Laney-Hamilton had a successful surgery and would start rehabilitation that would last about four-to-six weeks.
Ionescu said players had to communicate more and take on tougher assignments answering how they adapted in Laney-Hamilton’s absence.
“I think just being able to continue to step-up and be the best teammates that we can, and play defense for one another and try to fill the gaps, because we are missing someone who has a huge role on the defensive end,” Ionescu said.
Jonquel Jones, who will join Team WNBA and against Team USA at the All-Star weekend finished with eight points, seven rebounds, two steals and a block and Kennedy Burke had four steals and a block.
The New York Liberty led 28-23 at the end of the first quarter and 45-42 going into halftime. The Liberty, however were outscored by the Sun 19-17 in the second quarter and 21-18 in the third quarter. The teams were tied at 63 at the end of the third quarter. Brionna Jones led the Sun with 17 total game points. New York came back in the fourth quarter to outscore Connecticut 19-11 and win.
“It’s been a great first half of the season,” said Coach Sandy Brondello about her. message to players after the game. “We want them to go freshen up knowing there’s still a lot of basketball to be played.”
Following the break the New York Liberty will first face the Los Angeles Sparks on Aug. 15.
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