Nyara Sabally spent most of her time in New York under the radar, playing behind future Hall of Famers even as a top-five draft pick.<\/p>\n
Now, she shines as a starter and key proponent with expansion team Toronto Tempo. And she\u2019ll get to prove her skills taking on the Liberty for the first time since departing the team via expansion draft.<\/a><\/p>\n The Liberty are ready.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to win and I want to play well against her. Of course,\u201d said Jonquel Jones, who took Sabally under her wing during the pair\u2019s three seasons together in New York. \u201cI\u2019m happy for her to be able to step into that new role, and I think it was time for her. So in that sense, I\u2019m happy for her. But once we get on that court it\u2019s no more friends. None of that.\u201d<\/p>\n Jones will likely match up against Sabally for stretches in Wednesday\u2019s Commissioner\u2019s Cup opener.<\/p>\n Sabally is entering the matchup averaging 11.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks in 25.1 minutes per game \u2014 all career-highs. She averaged just 3.9 points and 3.3 rebounds in 12.1 minutes in her three seasons with the Liberty.<\/p>\n Just last week, Sabally recorded the best game of her WNBA career: 29 points on 11-of-14 shooting while logging six rebounds, two assists and two steals. She even shot 3-of-4 from downtown. The center made just two three-pointers in her Liberty tenure.<\/p>\n Finally after a right knee injury robbed her of a 2022 season and some mobility upon return, the ex-Oregon product is showing real flashes of what she was projected to be coming out of college.<\/p>\n \u201cDefinitely,\u201d Breanna Stewart said when asked if she\u2019s happy Sabally can now spread her wings. \u201cWhile it\u2019s bittersweet that Nyara left, it\u2019s like for her an opportunity to really fulfill a bigger role. She\u2019s starting every single game. She\u2019s deserving [of] that, and going out and really making the most of the time she steps on the court.\u201d<\/p>\n The Liberty knew Sabally had this talent.<\/p>\n But the team was unable to make her untouchable in the latest expansion draft. Each WNBA team could protect up to five players on their rosters from being selected in the draft.<\/p>\n With the Liberty\u2019s roster filled with stars, Sabally being poached was inevitable.<\/p>\n