Sky falls in on Liberty in Chicago

New York thumped 101-53 in preseason opener

May 8, 2024 John Torenli, Sports Editor Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Reigning WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart and the Liberty failed to launch in their preseason opener in Chicago Tuesday night. AP Photo by John Locher

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It’s on to Connecticut for the New York Liberty after their preseason opened with a resounding thud in Chicago.

The WNBA’s Eastern Conference “Superteam” and championship runner-up got dominated from start to finish in the Windy City, suffering a 101-53 beating from the Sky in front of 3,132 fans at Wintrust Arena.

“We have to go back to the drawing board and get ready for Connecticut,” Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello admitted after her unit trailed by as many as 50 in its first action since dropping a heartbreaking Game 4 to back-to-back champion Las Vegas in Brooklyn last October.

“They have to look at themselves,” she added. “At the same time, we have to make sure we stay together. We didn’t weather the storm.”

New York’s decorated starting five, consisting of reigning Most Valuable Player Breanna Stewart, former MVP Jonquel Jones, All-Star Sabrina Ionescu, future Hall of Famer Courtney Vandersloot and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, looked more like not-ready-for-prime-time players.

“They have a lot of pride too,” Brondello insisted. “They will (respond). It’s just disappointing that we didn’t come out and play the way they should. But give credit to Chicago. … People are underestimating them.”

The Liberty’s Fab Five combined for just 25 points on 10-of-33 shooting while the Sky (1-0) raced out to a 24-11 lead after the opening quarter and never looked back.

Marina Mabrey poured in 20 points and Dana Evans added 19 for Chicago, which built a 49-28 cushion by halftime before Brondello put her aspiring rookies and reserves to the test.

Former Liberty legend and current Chicago coach Teresa Weatherspoon led the Sky to an easy victory over New York Tuesday. AP Photo by Tyler Kaufman

First-round pick Marquesha Davis had four points, three rebounds, one steal and a pair of turnovers in 15 minutes off the bench in her professional debut after a standout career at the University of Mississippi.

“I would say what I learned is to be aggressive. Do the things you’re good at,” said Davis, who had her former collegiate coach, Yolett McPhee-McCuin, in attendance.

“I think it feels great. Just knowing that she still supports me after Ole Miss,” Davis added.

Second-round picks Esmery Martinez and Jessika Carter also had four points apiece, as did training-camp invitee

Jaylyn Sherrod, who caught Brondello’s eye for her tenacity upon entering the contest.

“She did a great job, coming off the bench, got a couple of steals for us even though we were down by a lot,” Brondello said. “She played to her strengths.”

The starters couldn’t say the same.

Ionescu, arguably the best 3-point shooter in women’s professional basketball, drained two of New York’s three 3-pointers on her way to eight points while the rest of the Liberty went 1-for-12 from long range.

Stewart, coming off her second league MVP honor, only managed five points and missed all three of her attempts from beyond the arc in 21 lackluster minutes.

At least Sherrod seemed to understand the importance of a strong first impression as she is trying to make the regular-season roster.

“Just to be aggressive and fearless. That’s kind of my M.O. We’re gonna mess up. We’re rookies,” she admitted. “When you’re a rookie, it’s just about maximizing your opportunities.”

Fortunately for the Liberty (0-1), they’ll get another chance at a dress rehearsal before their May 14 opener in Washington, D.C.

New York, which knocked Connecticut out in four games during last year’s Eastern Conference finals, will take on the Sun Thursday night at 7 p.m. at Mohegan Sun Arena.

“We’re veterans,” Brondello said of her seasoned squad. “They’ll respond in the right way.”

Sabrina Ionescu and the Liberty will hope for a better performance as they fly on to Connecticut for Thursday’s exhibition finale. AP Photo by Doug Feinberg

GIVE ME LIBERTY: Laney-Hamilton, Stewart, Jones and Vandersloot went a combined 0-for-7 from 3-point range. … Jones and Kayla Thornton each grabbed a team-high five rebounds, though Jones managed only four points and Thornton failed to score at all. … After visiting the Mystics in our nation’s capital for their season opener next Tuesday, the Liberty will open a home-and-home series with NCAA phenom Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on May 16 before hosting their home opener against one of the biggest draws in women’s basketball May 18 at Barclays Center.