New York Liberty

The defending WNBA champion New York Liberty will be without a key player for most of the 2025 season.

The Liberty announced on Monday that guard/forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton underwent successful surgery to repair a meniscus injury in her left knee and she will miss five to six months.

Laney-Hamilton also underwent a "clean-up" procedure on her knee last July and missed 10 games during the 2024 season due to knee issues, but this one is far more significant. The Liberty will begin training camp on April 27 before opening the season on May 17 against the Las Vegas Aces, and the regular season will end on Sept. 11, which is near the end of the five-to-six-month timeline. The playoffs run through October.

Laney-Hamilton suffered the latest injury earlier this month while playing for Laces BC in the Unrivaled women's 3-on-3 league. She appeared in two games as a reserve player before being sidelined.

In 2024, Laney-Hamilton appeared in 28 regular-season games for the Liberty with 25 starts and averaged 11.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.1 steals. She was still getting back in her groove during the postseason, but she had a 20-point performance in a win against the Minnesota Lynx in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals.

The Liberty have been dealing with injuries to multiple key players. Star forward Breanna Stewart also underwent a scope on her right meniscus after her time with Unrivaled came to an end, though she's expected to be recovered by training camp. Guards Sabrina Ionescu (thumb) and Marine Johannes (ankle) also underwent procedures earlier this offseason and are on their way to recovering.

Laney-Hamilton's absence likely will mean more minutes for second-year forward Leonie Fiebich, who shot 43.3 percent from three-point range during her rookie season. Veteran guard Natasha Cloud, who was acquired in an offseason trade with the Phoenix Mercury, will also have more on her shoulders in her first year with her new team.

Not that there was ever any real doubt, but Breanna Stewart is returning to the New York Liberty for the 2025 WNBA season.

The Liberty announced on Saturday that Stewart has signed a new contract to return to the reigning WNBA champs.

Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb issued a statement about Stewart returning to New York for another season.

Per Madeline Kenney of the New York Post, Stewart's one-year deal will pay her a guaranteed salary of $208,400. This figure comes in just under the WNBA max salary for 2025 at $214,466.

This marks the fourth consecutive year that Stewart has signed a one-year contract. She began going on a year-to-year basis in 2022, her final season with the Seattle Storm.

Stewart said before Game 3 of the WNBA Finals last season that she wanted to maintain flexibility, particularly with the uncertainty about the collective bargaining agreement:

"I am under a one-year, and I’m going to sign another one-year. Just so I can continue to have that kind of flexibility going forward. It’s kind of hard to tell, because you don’t know obviously if we opt in or opt out, but with the potential from the new TV deal—how does everything play into effect. How long are things going to be lasting? But I don’t mind the one-years. I’m going to burn my core."

The WNBPA announced on Oct. 21 that it would opt out of the current CBA, which will expire on Oct. 31, 2025. The league's financial future is going to change significantly thanks to its 11-year, $2.2 billion television rights deal that begins with the 2026 season.

Stewart's move to the Liberty as a free agent in February 2023 shifted the balance of power in the WNBA. New York won a franchise-record 32 games and lost in the Finals in her first season after finishing under .500 in each of the previous five years.

The Liberty once again won 32 games last season and got over the hump in the playoffs, defeating the Minnesota Lynx in five games for their first championship.

Stewart won her second WNBA MVP award in her first year in New York. She finished third in MVP voting last season, averaging 20.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in 38 starts.

New York will begin its title defense against the Las Vegas Aces at Barclays Center on May 17.

The New York Liberty announced Thursday they're planning a new dedicated practice facility in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, that's slated to open in 2027.

"We are a player-first organization and investing in health and wellness has always been a priority for us," team governor Clara Wu Tsai said. "The New York Liberty deserve a facility of their own: one that reflects their tremendous talent, work ethic, and ambition. This facility is a sign of our commitment to the team, to the city of New York, and to the advancement of women's sports."

The 75,000-square-foot facility will have two full practice courts indoors and another court outside. Among the other features are a two-story training room, two family lounges, and a studio where players can make appointment for their hair, nails or makeup.

"The Liberty made this facility a true player-led endeavor, incorporating our insights to help us be our best, while strengthening our bond as a team and with the New York community," forward Breanna Stewart said. "As a mom, I'm especially grateful for the family rooms—it means everything to know my family is cared for while I stay locked in on my craft."

The Liberty have come a long way from the days when they were temporarily stationed at Westchester County Center and languishing under the ownership of James Dolan.

Clara Wu and Joe Tsai purchased the team in January 2019 and wasted little time in trying to turn it into a first-class organization that would attract star players. In April 2020, the Tsais unveiled a rebrand and signaled their intention to move the Liberty into Barclays Center on a full-time basis.

The hard work paid off when New York landed a pair of former MVPs, Stewart and Jonquel Jones, during the 2023 offseason. The franchise's first title arrived last year as the Liberty bested the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA Finals.

When it comes to practice facilities, the Seattle Storm started the trend with their Center for Basketball Performance, which opened last year. It was the first training venue purpose-built for a WNBA team.

The league has a hard salary cap, so it's difficult for general managers outbid one another for the best free agents. Luxuries such as state-of-the-art practice facilities are one way for franchises to set themselves apart.

"There isn't an owner in this league that doesn't think that they will need a dedicated practice facility within the next two to three years to have a W team," Connecticut Sun president Jennifer Rizzotti said to Sportico's Eric Jackson. "… Whether they've announced it publicly or not, every owner knows that's a reality they're facing."

The Liberty just raised the bar.

Breanna Stewart underwent successful minor surgery on her right knee and will be ready in time for training camp, per ESPN's Alexa Philippou.

Training camp begins on April 27. Stewart and the New York Liberty are looking to defend the franchise's first-ever WNBA title.

Stewart's Unrivaled season ended on Monday when her team, Mist Basketball Club, fell to the first-place Lunar Owls. Mist needed a win to qualify for the playoffs but missed the last spot on a tiebreaker with Vinyl.

On Thursday, Stewart posted a picture of herself in a hospital bed, but she appeared in good spirits and posted a hopeful caption.

"Small thing to a giant 🏁

"might or might not retire the leg sleeve but definitely getting rid of all that tape, iykyk.

"S/o to the gang getting me through unrivaled and Dr. Weber for getting me right🔪

"See you in the W😉."

So that's good news for Stewart, a two-time WNBA MVP and six-time All-Star who averaged 20.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists last season.

The Liberty open their title regular season on Saturday, May 17 when they welcome the Las Vegas Aces into town.

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Sabrina Ionescu is ready to participate in Unrivaled after undergoing surgery to repair a torn UCL in her right thumb last month.

Per ESPN's Kendra Andrews, Ionescu is not 100 percent but has been cleared to participate in Unrivaled.

"(My recovery) has been a little sped up," Ionescu said Thursday after Unrivaled practice. "If I didn't have this going on, I probably could have taken a little bit more time just rehabbing, letting it heal. But I'm fully cleared by the doctors to be able to play and continue to do my rehab while I'm out here and get live reps."

According to Andrews, Ionescu wore a white wrap on her right thumb during practice on Thursday. She arrived in Miami for Unrivaled on Jan. 4 but went back to Los Angeles later that week for another appointment with her doctors.

On Jan. 8, Ionescu was cleared to participate in all basketball activities and resumed live-action this week. She said she's "a little rusty" but is "knocking the rust off," per Andrews.

"Everything's been going really well," she said. "... It's nice to get back out on the court and get live reps in."

Ionescu, 27, is coming off one of the best seasons of her career, averaging 18.2 points, 6.2 assists and 4.4 rebounds for the New York Liberty. She put up 16.9 points, 5.3 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game in the postseason to help lead the Liberty to their first championship, taking down the Minnesota Lynx in seven games in the WNBA Finals.

After an outstanding WNBA season, she'll now compete in the inaugural season of Unrivaled.

Ionescu is one of the 36 players competing in the eight-week season in Miami. The league tips off on Jan. 17 and runs through March 17. Ionescu will compete for Phantom BC alongside Satou Sabally, Marina Mabrey, Brittney Griner, Natasha Cloud and Katie Lou Samuelson.

According to Andrews, Ionescu has a handful of commitments that will force her to miss some Unrivaled events. One of those commitments will be NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco in February, though she didn't clarify what she'll be doing there.

New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu underwent a procedure Friday to stabilize the UCL in her right thumb, according to ESPN's Alexa Philippou.

Philippou originally reported in October that Ionescu suffered a "high-grade UCL tear" to her shooting hand in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals.

The injury helped to explain why the 2023 three-point champion went ice cold in the final two games of the series as New York secured its first title. She shot 6-of-34 from the field for 15 points across Games 4 and 5.

Ionescu tipped fans off to her recent surgery on social media. In an Instagram post Sunday to celebrate her 27th birthday, she shared a photo from her hospital bed and had a cast around her right hand.

Ionescu averaged 18.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 6.2 assists during the regular season. She was an All-Star and All-WNBA honoree for the third straight year and had her highest finish (sixth) in the MVP voting.

Her lackluster finish also obscures what was a solid postseason from the 5'11" guard. Her 16.9 points were the second-highest on the Liberty and she was the team's assist leader with 5.3 dimes per contest.

Philippou reported Ionescu should be back to on-court activity in around four weeks, which would put her easily on track to be ready for the regular season. The Liberty tip off against the Las Vegas Aces on May 17 in their opener.

For New York, anything short of a third successive Finals appearance is likely to be a disappointment since the team returns most of its key players. Ionescu is included in that group and her contributions will be important toward the Liberty's title defense.

New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu suffered a UCL tear on her right hand in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals, according to ESPN's Alexa Philippou.

Philippou reported Ionecu will be re-evaluated in four weeks and isn't expected to need surgery.

The injury helps to explain the three-time All-Star's shooting performance in Game 5 as the Liberty closed out the series. She was 1-of-19 from the field and 1-of-10 from beyond the arc en route to scoring five points, though she added seven rebounds, eight rebounds, two assists and one block in a solid all-around effort.

This year's Finals provided the Liberty with some redemption after they came up short in 2023 against a Las Vegas Aces squad that was without Candace Parker or Chelsea Gray by the end. Ionescu in particular had a forgettable series, averaging 9.8 points over the four-game series.

This time around, she put up 12.7 points, 5.4 boards and 5.4 dimes per game. The 5'11" guard also hit perhaps the single biggest shot in Liberty history when she drained a deep three to win Game 3.

Unlike other stars, Ionescu hasn't gone overseas after the WNBA season, which is a route many players take to sharpen their games and supplement their incomes. This winter will also see the debut of Unrivaled, a three-on-three league led by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier.

Ionescu isn't listed on Unrivaled's roster, so it looks like the next few months will be free for her to focus on her injury rehab.

The New York Liberty will get the full ticker-tape treatment down the "Canyon of Heroes" to celebrate their WNBA Finals victory over the Minnesota Lynx.

New York Mayor Eric Adams announced the city will have a parade at 10 a.m. ET on Thursday and a formal ceremony at City Hall. The "Canyon of Heroes" runs along Broadway in Lower Manhattan.

The Liberty said they'll hold another championship ceremony in Brooklyn, which is where they play their home games at Barclays Center.

New York was crowned the WNBA champion for the first time in its history, and this is the first pro basketball title for the city since the New York Knicks triumphed in the 1973 NBA Finals.

The Liberty prevailed 67-62 in the winner-take-all Game 5 on Sunday night. Breanna Stewart had a double-double (13 points and 15 rebounds), while Jonquel Jones capped off her Finals MVP run with 17 points and six boards.

New York's win wasn't without some controversy.

Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve went so far as to argue the title "was stolen from us" thanks to the officials in Game 5. The Liberty attempted 17 more free throws and benefited from a contentious foul call toward the end of regulation.

Alanna Smith's shooting foul on Stewart, which was upheld after a video review, allowed the two-time WNBA MVP to sink two free throws and tie the game with 5.2 seconds on the clock.

Reeve also alluded to more broad frustrations in her postgame press conference.

The decorated head coach said the Lynx "built a team within the rules" and didn't "circumvent" the salary cap, seemingly a reference to the Liberty managing to sign Stewart, Jones and Courtney Vandersloot in the same offseason. Reeve also alluded to New York receiving a $500,000 fine in 2022 for league violations including the use of chartered flights.

To the victor go the spoils.

Last year, Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson wore a shirt that featured her MVP vote shares during the team's championship parade. Wilson finished third in a tight race behind Stewart and the Connecticut Sun's Alyssa Thomas but had the last laugh when Las Vegas repeated as the title-winner.

In 2021, the Chicago Sky brought to their celebration the door from Wintrust Arena that Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi purportedly slammed following a Finals loss.

Don't put it past the Liberty to take a subtle or perhaps more direct shot at Reeve during Thursday's festivities.

New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello pushed back on the idea her team benefited from one-sided officiating in a 67-62 overtime win over the Minnesota Lynx in the series-clinching Game 5 of the WNBA Finals.

"I thought they were pretty fair," she told reporters in her press conference after the game (26 min mark). "The last game, that's where you get give and take. Game No. 1, we should have won that game."

Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve was withering with her assessment of the referees in Game 5. She went so far as to say "this s--t was stolen from us" after the Liberty attempted 17 more free throws and saw star forward Breanna Stewart sent to the charity stripe for two free throws to tie the game with 5.2 seconds left in regulation.

The foul on Stewart was the biggest flashpoint.

Lynx forward Alanna Smith maintained her defensive position and appeared to go straight up when disrupting Stewart's shot attempt. She was nevertheless whistled for the foul, a decision that was upheld on a video review after Reeve's challenge.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was among those unhappy with how regulation ended:

Especially when commissioner Cathy Engelbert is wearing a dress with the New York City skyline on it, the conspiracy theories will be rife after the Liberty had a controversial call go their way along with a sizable edge in free throws.

A more straightforward and boring explanation is that WNBA officiating has been criticized for years. Last October, The Athletic's Ben Pickman cited sources from around the league who said the referees were at best "inconsistent" and that the state of affairs was as bad as they've seen in a long time.

Following the Lynx's 82-80 victory in Game 4 to even the series, Brondello was the one calling out the refs after Minnesota got to the free-throw line 11 more times than New York.

The WNBA will never be able to fully satisfy coaches and players when it comes to officiating. Having the refs be such a focal point in a major Finals contest could at least spur the league to make some changes.