The New York Liberty showcased their strength in a commanding 99-74 victory over the Chicago Sky on Thursday night at Wintrust Arena. The defending WNBA champions improved to a perfect 2-0 in the season, proving their dominance despite the physical play expected from the Sky.
Jonquel Jones had anticipated a tough game, but the Liberty made it look easy. They set a league record for the most three-pointers in a game, hitting 19 shots from beyond the arc, with Kennedy Burke sinking the record-setting shot in the fourth quarter. The team shot an impressive 55.9% from three-point range, a sharp contrast to their previous game where they struggled with just four three-pointers.
Natasha Cloud led the Liberty with 18 points and eight assists, while Burke contributed 17 points off the bench. Sabrina Ionescu added 16 points, helping the Liberty pull away in the second quarter with a 25-9 scoring run, establishing a 21-point lead by halftime.
The Sky began the second half with a burst, scoring eight unanswered points, but the Liberty quickly regrouped. Chicago’s Angel Reese received two technical fouls, leading to further frustration for the Sky. By the end of the third quarter, the Liberty maintained their 21-point lead.
Despite the victory, Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello expressed dissatisfaction with her team’s performance. She noted that the offense felt clunky at times, and the team committed 20 turnovers, which could be problematic against stronger opponents. The Liberty allowed the Sky to attempt 25 free throws, but Chicago converted only 52% of those attempts, further hampering their efforts.
Chicago, under first-year coach Tyler Marsh, is still trying to find its identity with new players and a fresh system. They struggled to keep pace with the Liberty, who will face a tougher challenge on Saturday against Indiana.
For the Liberty, the win is a confidence booster, but they know there’s room for improvement. Burke emphasized the need to stay prepared for upcoming games, highlighting the importance of both offensive and defensive adjustments. As they celebrate this victory, the team is already focused on what’s next.