The WNBA 2026 season started with a bang as contenders New York Liberty put up an offensive show against the Connecticut Sun, winning the opening game by 31 points. While it was clinical performance by the 2024 champions, forward Laney Hamilton showcased a guard-like ball handling to beat her opponent, Gianna Kneepkens, on a play.
A few days back, Toronto Tempo Rookie Teonni Key revealed how Brittney Griner handed her memorable ‘Welcome To The WNBA’ moment. The Sun’s 2026 rookie might as well remember Hamilton’s gameplay as her welcome to the WNBA moment.
Laney Hamilton With Slick Moves Against Gianna Kneepkens
The shorthanded Liberty team had to add Aubrey Griffin and Julie Vanloo to hardship contracts, with the team having only seven players available for the game. But it didn’t affect the flow of the game on either end of the floor, as the Liberty team remained in control from the start.
On one play, Hamilton got the possession with the former UCLA star trying to defend her. The Liberty guard gave a fake, pump-fake, and dribbled between the legs to beat her defender. Kneepkens tried to reach for the ball, but failed miserably and fell on the ground, leaving Hamilton an open basket to score.
She gave Kneepkens her welcome to the W moment instantly 😭😭😭😭😭 https://t.co/1HwXyWwUZE pic.twitter.com/4WijxrpYZY
— Shabazz 💫 (@ShowCaseShabazz) May 9, 2026
While the play drew a lot of attention, both players played vital roles in their team’s performance. Starting the game, Hamilton scored 12 points in 28 minutes, while Kneepkens scored seven points in 13 minutes with seven rebounds.
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Although the player might look back at the moment as her ‘WNBA’s first real test’, she certainly does have a lot to achieve in the league, with the Connecticut franchise or maybe another team too.
Gianna Kneeepkens With Strong Skillset To Have impactful Rookie Season
After winning the NCAA Championship, the UCLA star was part of the WNBA record set by her program, with 15th overall selection. The sharpshooter winger joins a rebuilding Connecticut Sun squad as an immediate impact shooter and potential cornerstone of their future. Following a decorated career at Utah, she brings elite long-range capability to a Sun team that struggled with spacing in prior seasons.
Gianna Kneepkens tracks down the offensive rebound and then sinks the corner 3 for her first official #WNBA bucket pic.twitter.com/RJaPIB7lhn
— Danielle Hobeika (@DanielleHobeika) May 9, 2026
Her elite ability to hit three-pointers, boasting impressive efficiency near 50/40/90 shooting splits, is expected to open up the floor for young teammates like Leila Lacan and Saniya Rivers in 2026. General Manager Morgan Tuck already praised Kneepkens’ toughness and winning mindset, viewing her as a key asset to a roster transition that prioritizes floor spacing and high-level offensive efficiency.
The 22-year-old will provide crucial scoring depth, helping replace the perimeter scoring lost in the expansion draft and serving as a reliable perimeter threat to complement the team’s developing core in their final Connecticut season.