The New York Liberty looked unstoppable at the beginning of the 2025 WNBA season. Building on last year’s championship momentum, they stormed out of the gate with nine consecutive wins. But since their first loss on June 14 to the Indiana Fever, the Liberty have hit a rough patch, losing four of their last five games and slipping to third in the standings.
So what’s behind their sudden drop in form?
1. Inconsistent Starting Lineup Disrupts Chemistry
During their dominant nine-game winning streak, the Liberty thrived with a consistent starting five: Natasha Cloud, Leonie Fiebich, Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones. That lineup brought rhythm, cohesion, and high energy to both ends of the court.
However, that stability was disrupted when Fiebich temporarily left to play for Germany in EuroBasket and Jones was sidelined with an injury. As a result, the Liberty have had to shuffle in Kennedy Burke, Rebekah Gardner, and Nyara Sabally—strong bench contributors but not yet consistent starters. While Fiebich is expected to return this week, Jones, the 2021 WNBA MVP, won’t likely be back until after the All-Star break. In the meantime, Sabally will need to rise to the occasion and help fill the void in both scoring and defense.
2. Offensive Output Is Slipping
Despite still leading the league in points per game (87.2), the Liberty’s scoring efficiency has dipped in June, averaging just 85.8 points over the month. The drop is largely due to fewer 3-point attempts and a decline in trips to the free-throw line—two areas that were instrumental in their early-season success.
Superstars Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu continue to produce at an elite level, but the offensive support behind them has thinned, especially in the absence of Jonquel Jones. Without a reliable third scoring option, the Liberty are struggling to maintain their early-season firepower.
3. Turnovers Are Creeping Up
One of the Liberty’s early strengths was taking care of the ball, averaging just 12.8 turnovers per game through the first two weeks. But in June, that number has climbed to 14.5—ranking them seventh in the league.
That may not seem like a huge difference, but in tight matchups, even one or two extra turnovers can swing momentum. Sloppy possessions have cost them in crunch time, further compounding their struggles.
Rising Star Watch: Angel Reese Dominates for the Chicago Sky
Rookie forward Angel Reese has exploded onto the scene with a string of impressive performances for the Chicago Sky. Since her breakout game on June 22 against the Atlanta Dream, she’s recorded four straight double-doubles.
Her best outing came Sunday in a dominant win over the Los Angeles Sparks: 24 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 blocks, and a steal. Notably, her rebounding effort includes consistently hitting double digits on the defensive glass—proving she’s more than just a “mebound” stat-padder. Reese is fast becoming a cornerstone of the Sky’s rebuilding efforts.
Game of the Week: Seattle Storm vs. Atlanta Dream – July 3, 7:30 p.m. ET (League Pass)
This Thursday’s WNBA slate is stacked, with all five top-ranked teams in action. But the most intriguing matchup is between the Seattle Storm and the surging Atlanta Dream.
Atlanta has found its offensive rhythm, thanks in part to Allisha Gray, who’s earned her third All-Star nod and first as a starter. Seattle’s defense will face a tough challenge trying to slow her down. With both teams looking to climb the rankings, this game promises playoff-caliber intensity.
Final Thoughts
The Liberty still have the talent and leadership to course-correct, but they’ll need to stabilize their lineup, find more offensive contributors, and take better care of the ball. With the All-Star break approaching, the next few games could be critical in shaping their postseason position.
One thought on “WNBA Power Rankings: Why the New York Liberty Are Falling After a Hot Start”