The New York Liberty ended their 2025 WNBA season with a disappointing early playoff exit, falling to the Phoenix Mercury within the first spherical in three video games. Regardless of opening the yr with a franchise-record 9 straight wins and ending with a 27-17 file, the Liberty couldn’t repeat their 2024 championship run and have been eradicated after a 79-73 Sport 3 loss in Phoenix.
The loss marked a irritating finish to a season outlined by accidents and inconsistency. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton missed the yr solely, whereas Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart have been each sidelined for prolonged stretches. New York’s offense sputtered at key moments, together with a 60-point exhibiting in Sport 2 at residence, their second-lowest whole of the yr. Stewart poured in 30 factors within the deciding recreation, however Phoenix rode a triple-double from Alyssa Thomas and 23 factors from Satou Sabally to advance.
Days later, the Liberty dismissed head coach Sandy Brondello — the franchise’s winningest coach and the architect of its first championship in 2024. Basic supervisor Jonathan Kolb mentioned the transfer mirrored the necessity for evolution and innovation relatively than response to a single playoff loss.
Large Three Outlook Underneath a New CBA
For Kolb, the place to begin this offseason is evident: securing the Liberty’s three franchise pillars. Stewart, Ionescu and Jones are all hitting free company in the identical summer time the WNBA introduces a brand new CBA, leaving the Liberty with crucial choices on retention, cap flexibility and long-term sustainability.
“I’ve the utmost confidence that they wish to be again with us,” Kolb mentioned.
The uncertainty of league-wide free company doesn’t faze Kolb, who mentioned the Liberty’s popularity as a player-centered group provides him confidence in re-signing the core.
“This isn’t about not profitable or profitable,” Kolb mentioned. “It’s about how will we place ourselves to be on the high of the league in an actual sustainable approach because the league evolves.”
He added that New York intends to stay a spot the place elite gamers wish to keep and develop.
“We satisfaction ourselves on being a participant group,” Kolb mentioned. “There’s a stage of belief that management will make choices and that gamers might be motivated to know what’s subsequent.”
Kolb additionally addressed well being as a crucial low season variable. He confirmed Stewart sustained a sprained MCL and mentioned he had no extra updates past that, whereas noting Ionescu completed the yr managing a problem and that ahead Nyara Sabally “isn’t planning to play this offseason.”
One participant with extra readability is Leonie Fiebich, who’s below contract for 2026. Kolb mentioned her toughness stood out throughout the playoffs when she performed by means of a fractured rib.
“She checked again into the sport as a result of that’s who she is,” Kolb mentioned.
Sabrina’s Position and the Backcourt Blueprint
The way forward for Ionescu will be the most complicated query New York faces. As soon as the unquestioned lead guard, she has shifted into extra off-ball duties with completely different backcourt companions, elevating questions on her greatest match shifting ahead. Kolb mentioned the group is actively debating whether or not it’s time to return Ionescu to the purpose full-time.
“It’s an superior query, as a result of I feel that it’s one thing that we’re at all times evaluating,” Kolb mentioned. “What’s the greatest backcourt companion for her, and actually, how are we planning to make use of her shifting ahead?”
He acknowledged that the 2025 pairing with Natasha Cloud didn’t totally unlock Ionescu’s off-ball gravity or shot high quality.
“I don’t know that we actually solved the off-ball manufacturing alternatives with Tash in ways in which have been conducive to creating success for Sabrina,” Kolb mentioned. “I don’t know that we received [Sab] a variety of clear appears to be like this yr from three. She’s among the best shooters on the planet, with immense gravitational pull.”
So I requested the Sabrina/backcourt query to JK, and I feel a number of the response has already been taken out of context, so right here’s the total Q&A:
Q: “Sabrina’s season is de facto attention-grabbing, even the final three years, proper? It’s like, it doesn’t matter what backcourt companion she performs…
— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) September 25, 2025
The group is now weighing whether or not Ionescu’s gravity as a shooter is best maximized with a playmaking companion — or whether or not she ought to merely management the offense herself.
“I simply suppose that there’s ways in which we are able to proceed to evolve there, by way of the companion,” Kolb mentioned. “I imply, that’s one thing we’re actually . I feel there’s consideration of, is it time? Is it time for Sab to be on the one? If that’s the case, what does that companion appear like? And so, these are all issues that we’ve been contemplating and can think about, will proceed to contemplate, and it additionally might be closely influenced by whomever assumes the eventual teaching position.”
What 2025 Taught New York About Depth and Roles
Accidents compelled the Liberty to dig deeper into their bench than deliberate, revealing each strengths and shortcomings. Kolb mentioned he was impressed by the resilience of position gamers however admitted the group missed the regular presence of Laney and a dependable third scoring choice.
“I really feel comfy with what we put collectively,” he mentioned. “This season confirmed how a lot Betnijah issues. When she received damage, it elevated the significance of buying Natasha. Our beginning lineup was the most effective within the league with little drop-off. However there have been moments we would have liked a 3rd scorer, somebody who can navigate three ranges—like Betnijah.”
Kolb: “I really feel comfy with what we put collectively. I feel we noticed how (vital) Betnijah (Laney-Hamilton) was to our group…on the defensive finish, we have now one thing very particular when Leo and Bee are shifting on the wings collectively.” (Powell) #WNBA #LightItUpNYL
— Geoff Magliocchetti (@GeoffJMags) September 25, 2025
Even with the setbacks, Kolb mentioned a number of reserves proved they are often trusted in crucial moments.
“Actually happy with Rebecca Gardner, very poised and affected person,” Kolb mentioned. “Isabelle Harrison and Kennedy Burke gave us loads. I used to be happy with the group for what they introduced; it was a tricky season for them navigating accidents and shifting roles.”
Midseason addition Emma Meesseman confirmed flashes however by no means totally settled into the rotation. Kolb mentioned her future with the franchise will rely largely on the imaginative and prescient of the following head coach.
“When she arrived, she was enjoying on intuition and really feel; we noticed flashes of her influence, however wanted extra time to combine her,” Kolb mentioned. “Emma may be very mission-based. The mission was right here and now; now she’s into her subsequent mission. She doesn’t make choices earlier than it’s vital. Our preliminary curiosity is sure, however finally it wants to suit with the following coach’s plans.”
Frontcourt Plan and Fashion of Play
The Liberty’s basis of measurement and flexibility stays unchanged. Kolb mentioned the group will proceed to construct round lengthy, two-way gamers who can adapt to a number of roles alongside Stewart, Jones and Ionescu.
“No, I don’t imagine that should change,” he mentioned of the organizational measurement/size technique. “We have been on the innovative with two-way potential—measurement, size, athleticism. That’s the components for becoming round Jonquel, Stewie, Sabrina.”
Jones, specifically, may see her tasks adjusted relying on matchups.
“JJ’s talent set is dynamic and distinctive—there’s profit to her being on the perimeter but in addition moments for put up dominance, that’ll be as much as the following coach,” Kolb mentioned. “We do perceive the significance of positions behind Jonquel for influence.”
Kolb praised Harrison’s progress as a backup 5 and famous that Sabally may nonetheless think about if wholesome.
“We performed Izzy on the 5 a good quantity; she’s proven potential to supply impactful minutes that equate to profitable,” he mentioned. “Niara’s succesful, but it surely’s a matter of well being.”
Why the Liberty Didn’t Use Hardship Signings
Followers puzzled all year long why the Liberty didn’t signal additional gamers below hardship guidelines, particularly when key starters missed time. Kolb defined that the construction of hardship contracts — locking in minimal absences for injured gamers — made the choice untenable.
“On hardships: there’s a large false impression about how these work, and for good cause, it’s not defined to the general public properly,” he mentioned. “For our scenario, we’d have needed to connect two accidents to these hardships and also you lock within the video games these gamers will miss. With accidents like Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart, there’s a shifting timeline for his or her return. You’d like them again ASAP. We weren’t comfy that, if we introduced somebody in, they’d play or could be price pushing again return dates of our injured gamers.”
Kolb: “Hardships have a variety of complexity to them…for the scenario we’d’ve been in, you’d have to connect accidents, lock within the recreation these gamers must miss…there’s a shifting timeline for once they’re going to return…we didn’t really feel comfy that,…
— Geoff Magliocchetti (@GeoffJMags) September 25, 2025
By the point the Liberty revisited the likelihood, Kolb mentioned the pool of gamers didn’t align with their wants.
“Later within the yr, we gave severe consideration to hardship however gamers we wished didn’t need it, and others took alternatives with different groups with longer stays,” Kolb mentioned. “Different occasions, the gamers we wished have been already abroad.”
The Numbers That Will Form the Retool
Kolb mentioned the entrance workplace has studied the group’s statistical profile intently and sees proof that the Liberty are falling behind stylistically whilst they continue to be environment friendly.
“Our three-point try fee, free throw try fee are dropping in comparison with the league,” he mentioned. “Our five-person beginning lineup, in comparison with final yr, is eerily related in offensive and defensive score and internet score. We have been really higher internet score and offensive score smart however dropped in rating offensively, although we scored extra factors per possession. That’s an indication of a altering league.”
The late-game movie revealed one other concern: offensive stagnation when the clock wound down.
“There have been moments we turned stagnant late within the clock,” Kolb mentioned. “That’s an space we have now to handle.”
Turning into ‘Bulletproof’ and Planning for Enlargement
Kolb mentioned the Liberty should design a roster that may’t be schemed out of video games, with flexibility throughout positions and entry to assets to maintain gamers wholesome. He known as this method “bulletproof.”
“A part of my job is ensuring no opponent can take every thing away,” he mentioned. “We do this by avoiding pointless redundancies and offering optionality for our coach—so we have now flexibility to faucet into no matter’s wanted in no matter scenario. No group performs us the identical approach. That’s why we have now 12 gamers, deliberately.”
On the similar time, Kolb mentioned the entrance workplace is trying outward, making ready for the influence of each the brand new CBA and eventual league growth.
“We wish to develop as a entrance workplace, however not essentially by including a variety of headcount,” Kolb mentioned. “Development-minded, increasing internationally might be vital as we transfer into new CBA guidelines. Domestically, we wish to maintain getting higher yearly, our opponents’ entrance places of work and ensuring we’re preserving tempo.”
What the Liberty Realized — and What’s Subsequent
Even in disappointment, Kolb mentioned the season offered readability about what the Liberty have to maintain success in a quickly altering league. He praised the group’s resilience and singled out gamers who impressed in tough circumstances.
“I do suppose it was successful, not based mostly on a primary spherical out,” he mentioned. “It was profitable by way of resiliency. I discovered loads about Kennedy Burke as a participant, happy with Leonie’s progress and her toughness. Generally losses are vital… She had a fractured rib—she checked again into the sport as a result of that’s who she is.”
Cheryl Reeve Set the Teaching Customary
Kolb positioned New York’s scenario within the broader arc of WNBA teaching and roster cycles, pointing to Minnesota’s Cheryl Reeve for instance of sustained success however stressing that groups as we speak should adapt sooner than ever.
“Cheryl Reeve set the usual for teaching longevity and success within the WNBA,” Kolb mentioned. “This league is completely different now than even a pair years in the past, not to mention a decade in the past. It’s about evaluating the league and the way it’s altering—who’s coming into the league and main organizations.”
Kolb: “Cheryl (Reeve) has set the usual for not simply longevity, however success…there’s below .500 information however additionally they had that dynasty run…this league is completely different from a few years in the past…(it’s about) how the league is altering…This isn’t a results-based…
— Geoff Magliocchetti (@GeoffJMags) September 25, 2025
He added that the pool of teaching candidates has grown dramatically, which he sees as a bonus because the Liberty seek for Brondello’s substitute.
“Teaching has modified a lot over time, not solely who’s come into league however who needs to return into this area,” Kolb mentioned. “Previously it was robust to search out choices; now the pool is far bigger due to the expansion of the league, storytelling and the caliber of gamers coming in. The pool is huge and it’s thrilling.”
With almost the whole roster hitting free company and a clear cap sheet, Kolb mentioned the Liberty are getting into a uncommon window to reset whereas preserving their core intact.
“We’ve a large alternative in entrance of us,” he mentioned. “So do a variety of groups with the quantity of free brokers which can be going to be on the board, and in addition our cap sheet is comparatively clear. So that is actually most likely a once-in-a-lifetime alternative for a lot of franchises.”
