The Golden State Valkyries did it again. While they held the Indiana Fever to its third-lowest total to win the most important encounter of their opening season, the side handed the New York Liberty its lowest total of the season, to record a solid win before the playoffs.
Breanna Stewart warned the defending champions about the slip-ups following the sloppy performance against the Phoenix Mercury and blasted the players again after the recent loss. Ironically, the team qualified for the playoffs despite the loss against the Valkyries.
New York Liberty Qualifies Despite Loss
The New York WNBA team celebrated its first title a season ago with a hard-fought win over the Lynx. They finished the regular season as table toppers, but the following season was a disaster. With four losses in the last six games, close to the playoffs, highlights their story for the season.
Defensively strong, the Golden State Valkyries showed why they are one of the teams to watch in the playoffs, holding off the champion lineup to just 58 points. Natalie Nakase’s team recorded an eight-point win, pleasing the Chase Center crowd.
Still, the Liberty team qualified for the playoffs as the seventh-placed Indiana Fever lost to the Phoenix Mercury, making it numerically difficult to overrun the 2024 champions. Yet Breanna Stewart and HC Sandy Brondello were not happy with ‘the way they qualified’. Brondello mentioned that its ok that they qualified for the postseason, but highlighted that the team lost the game.
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“This has been disappointing, collectively. We’ve got three games left, and we’re not where we need to be. It’s frustrating, it’s tough,” Breanna Stewart said.
The experienced forward understands the challenge ahead in the playoffs and wants her team to be prepared for the same. Only good thing on the day would be a positive injury update on Sabrina Ionescu.
Tough Road Ahead for New York Liberty
If anything, this qualification suggests that the team is not in its best form and needs to work on offensive plays to have a deep run in the postseason. A loss against an expansion team with the lowest point total close to the playoffs.
Apart from the form, the main concern for the Liberty is their final standing in the league. If they stay in fifth place, they not only lose the home court advantage but will face some of the toughest challengers en route to the final. Either the Mercury, Las Vegas Aces, or Atlanta Dream is certain to take fourth place. Sandy Brondello’s team doesn’t have a very encouraging record against either side in the season.
All three opponents have a strong forward lineup and could knock out the defending champions early in the first round, too. HC will be looking for a fresh approach and solid response from the champion roster.