Liberty will look far different for rematch with Storm

The Liberty team that will take the floor Sunday against the Storm is not the same team that lost in Seattle last month. 

At the time, the Liberty were down three starters, including Sabrina Ionescu, who was a late scratch because of a neck issue. 

With only nine active players, the Liberty had to mix and match lineup combinations. They registered a season-high 21 turnovers and missed several layups. 

But the Liberty managed to hang around the Storm for most of the game. 

“What we have to take away from that Seattle game is that we were actually still very much within the game with losing three starters. We dropped the ball at the end,” forward Isabelle Harrison said Saturday. “Obviously, Seattle is still a very good team. But we know how we can play.” 

The way coach Sandy Brondello sees it, the Storm didn’t change over the two weeks. But the Liberty have. 

For starters, Leonie Fiebich is back from EuroBasket, and the kink in Ionescu’s neck has been resolved. 

With the Liberty near full strength, execution will be key Sunday. They needs to shore up their pick-and-roll defense and prevent Nneka Ogwumike from getting into rhythm. They also must take better care of the ball. 

Breanna Stewart said the Liberty also need to simplify their offense at times. 

“We put ourselves in way too many step-up situations, knowing that they’re trapping a lot and having a better outlet for those that are in traps and not overcomplicating it,” Stewart said. “Similar to the last game against the Sparks, it’s like taking what the defense gives us, not overcomplicating it.” 

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Jonquel Jones is getting “better and better everyday,” but Brondello doesn’t anticipate Jones to be back before the All-Star break, which is July 18-19. 

Jones has been on the mend over the past two-plus weeks since she aggravated a right ankle sprain. The Liberty initially announced June 21 that Jones would be out for approximately four to six weeks. 

But as Jones progresses, Brondello believes the reigning WNBA Finals MVP should be ready toward the earlier side of the team’s initial projection. 

“We still want [to look at the] big picture. Trying to get her build up,” Brondello said. “So if we can get her back after All-Star break, that’s still a win, isn’t it? Because it was supposed to be in August.” 

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Brondello didn’t think there was a chance she would be coaching at the All-Star Game this season. 

The Liberty were third in the standings entering Thursday, and the second-place Mercury were playing the Wings. 

After New York beat the Sparks, Brondello and the rest of her team were surprised to find out that the Mercury lost to the Wings. 

“We weren’t really planning on it,” Ionescu said. “After the game, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh. Sandy’s coaching. Pack your bags, you’re going to Indy.’” 

This will be Brondello’s third time as head coach for the All-Star Game and first since 2018.