The WNBA’s 2026 preseason favorites are still admittedly searching for answers as this season of high expectations approaches its nominal midway point.
Back-to-back wins over the teams with the top two records in the league, including the defending champions, may go a long way toward providing a favorable response to their doubters.
But only if the New York Liberty can keep the line moving in Downtown Brooklyn on Tuesday night when they host the Dallas Wings.
“I mean, we have winners on this team, and they know what time it is,” said New York coach Chris DeMarco following the Liberty’s 99-86 win over WNBA-leading Minnesota last Friday night in front of 15,345 Brooklyn basketball fanatics at Barclays Center.
“Yeah, we’re starting to build the right chemistry,” he added. “Know each other’s strengths and weaknesses; communication is there.”
Nothing has communicated the Liberty’s strength over the previous three seasons more than the Big Three of Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu.
The star-studded triumvirate has spearheaded New York to back-to-back wins for the first time since a season-high eight-game winning streak appeared to have the Liberty off and running away from the pack.
However, after four losses in five games thereafter, including a 1-3 West Coast trip, DeMarco’s unit was back to soul-searching.
New York responded by toppling Vegas behind 26 points from Ionescu and 25 points and 11 rebounds from Stewart at Barclays in last week’s Commissioner’s Cup championship game.
Stewart poured in 16 of her season-high 36 points in the opening quarter against Minnesota, again fortifying the Liberty as contenders for their second WNBA title in three years.
And when they needed a big shot or rebound against the Lynx, Jones provided it, draining a 3-pointer to spark a go-ahead 15-2 second-quarter run and burying another long-range shot to sink Minnesota in the final period.
“Like we said, Tuesday or whatever day that was, we want to build,” said Jones, who finished with 14 points and 15 boards.
“We want to have opportunities to really build, and I think, as players, and really as a team, we’re taking ownership in that and making sure that every moment is important.”
Jonquel Jones bullied her way to 14 points and 15 rebounds vs. Minnesota last Friday night in Downtown Brooklyn. Photo: Brandon Todd/New York Liberty
Having failed to win consecutive regular-season games in over three weeks, the Liberty (13-8) would like to close this two-game homestand out in style vs. the Wings (13-8), who boast the same record and arrive in Brooklyn having won two straight.
Especially with another four-game sojourn out of Brooklyn looming on the condensed WNBA schedule.
Dallas rolled past New York 91-76 at Barclays on May 24 behind 24 points apiece from Paige Bueckers and 2026 first overall pick Azzi Fudd.
Ionescu made her season debut that night after missing the Liberty’s first five games with an ankle injury suffered in training camp.
She went on to miss another three weeks due to a back ailment before rejoining her teammates for what turned out to be the finishing touch of a 7-0 run through Cup play.
The past two games have finally seen Ionescu take her rightful place as the engine of an offense that can beat opponents from all angles.
She amassed 43 points and 11 assists against the Aces and Lynx and picked up a pair of steals and blocked shots in the win over Minnesota.
The four-time All-Star guard admits, however, that having a first-year coach and a new system, as well as players coming in and out due to injury, including herself, has made the first 21 games challenging.
“Yeah, I mean, we’re learning,” Ionescu said.
“We’re learning what works for our group in terms of when we’re up, the way we have to play the game, the mentality that we have to have and, obviously, [that] teams are gonna go on runs but not getting too high or too low when they make a couple shots.”
Stewart, who is enjoying her best season here since her 2023 MVP campaign in Brooklyn, was selected to be a starter in this month’s All-Star Game in Chicago last week.
Her 14-of-19 effort from the floor appeared to come with ease as Ionescu and French backcourt mate Pauline Astier found her on inside cuts to the basket, as well as a pair of 3-pointers.
The Liberty guards combined for a dozen assists while Stewart lit it up.
Jones enjoyed the view as well, watching Stewart put up 18 points in each half.
“It’s amazing,” she said. “I’ve seen her do it a number of times now, and every time I’m just sitting back in awe of the player that she is. So I love seeing it.”
Despite a couple of impressive wins, DeMarco won’t let his charges get complacent heading into Tuesday’s tilt with Dallas.
“So all those things are pointing in the right direction, but, you know, this is just one game,” he noted Friday. “We [have to] keep building.”
Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m.
The game will air nationally on ESPN.
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (seated left) will eventually get some minutes, according to Liberty coach Chris DeMarco. Photo: Brandon Todd/New York Liberty
GIVE ME LIBERTY:
The Liberty won’t see forward Satou Sabally on Thursday. The three-time All-Star forward is expected to miss her fifth consecutive game as she continues to go through the league’s concussion protocol after suffering a head injury in Vegas last Tuesday.
Veteran guard/forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton hasn’t played since June 28 at Golden State, mostly as a result of DeMarco tightening his rotation. A key member of the 2024 championship team, who missed all of last season while recovering from knee surgery, Laney-Hamilton still figures to be a factor on this squad, according to her coach. “I still have confidence in her,” DeMarco said. “Our staff, players have confidence in her. She’s gonna get her opportunity again. Like we believe in her. … We know what she can do, and we’ll get there.”
After hosting Dallas, the Liberty will open their four-game trip in Minnesota on Saturday.