The NY Liberty close out the WNBA preseason with a special trip to Eugene, Oregon!
Back to work. The New York Liberty opened up the preseason with a home tilt against the Connecticut Sun on Friday night. The Sun won 94-86, but there were plenty of positives to take away from the game. The champs have one more tune up before things begin for real this weekend.
Where to follow the game
My9 on TV for the locals. Liberty Live and Fox Local on the apps. League Pass elsewhere. It’s a late night affair so we’re getting started after 10:00 p.m. ET.
Injuries
No Betnijah Laney-Hamilton or Leonie Fiebich. Laney-Hamilton is out for the season, Feibich just finished up here European responsibilities and should here in a couple of days.
The game
This is the first year the Liberty are hosting a preseason game at the University of Oregon, and it’s a homecoming for two Oregon alumni, Sabrina Ionescu and Nyara Sabally, two mainstays of last year’s championship run…
EUGENE, WE HERE pic.twitter.com/ypUGMbray6
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) May 11, 2025
It’ll make for a tremendous atmosphere tonight in Eugene. As the WNBA continues to expand its footprint, games like this will go a long way in connecting all aspects of basketball together.
The Toyota Antelopes are based out of Japan, and they’ve made the trip to the States to appear in a few games. They were in Texas a few days as they took on the Dallas Wings.
Breanna Stewart will get her first minutes of the preseason. Stewie has been recovering from minor knee surgery this winter and will likely be on a minutes restriction. With Stewart managing her minutes early, look for Kennedy Burke to get more time to shine. KB was terrific in her start on Friday and got to showcase her full arsenal
https://t.co/Ks2N0cwfe2 pic.twitter.com/Es3VQeh4W8
— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) May 10, 2025
During camp, KB has spoken about her comfort being in New York for a second season and being fully healthy this time around
With this being the last game of the preseason, Sandy Brondello and her staff will have some tough decisions to make. The roster has to get cut down by Opening Day this Saturday, which means a lot of players will be battling it out for those final positions. Players like Jaylyn Sherrod and Esmery Martinez figure to get extended opportunities to see if they can break through and make the big club as camp ends.
Player to watch: Nyara Sabally
Nyara will be one of the most important players coming off of the Liberty bench this season. Indeed, the
Sabally was one of the keys in their championship clinching victory last fall, and in her preseason debut, she showed a new skill, making a 3-pointer. Sabally is a very good roller to the basket and has soft touch around the rim. If she’s able to incorporate those jumpers into her arsenal, it can take her to an exciting new level.
And to make this day even more special…
The New York Liberty have exercised Nyara Sabally’s fourth-year rookie option, extending her contract for the 2026 season.
Congrats, @NyaraSabally! pic.twitter.com/cu7WNXkiIs
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) May 12, 2025
Things are looking up!
From the Vault
In sad news, the wrestler Sabu passed away at the age of 60. Let’s take a trip back in time to watch Sabu and Rob Van Dam in action!
It’s Homecoming time, so let’s celebrate Sab and Nyara’s time at Oregon!
More reading: Swish Appeal, Breakaway, Women’s Basketball Roundup, The Local W, New York Daily News, New York Post, The Athletic. NY Liberty Fan TV, Fansided, Just Women’s Sports, SI All Knicks, Winsidr, No Cap Space, Her Hoop Stats, CBS Sports, Yahoo Sports, and The Next
- Nyara Sabally Steps Into the Future – Brian Fleurantin – The Local W