Liberty can’t afford complacency vs gritty Valkyries

Liberty can’t – After a disastrous 99-88 loss in Seattle that turned into 15 Storm points off 16 turnovers, Jonquel Jones refused to blame lineups or playing time. With three losses in four games, the Liberty head to Sunday’s road trip finale against the Golden State Valkyrie

Seattle still feels heavy on New York’s shoulders.

After Thursday night’s 99-88 loss, Jonquel Jones didn’t lean on the usual excuses. A reporter asked whether different lineups may have played a role in the Liberty’s 16 turnovers, which turned into 15 Storm points. Jones shut that down quickly.

“We just have to be better locked in,” Jones said after New York’s 99-88 loss. “At this point. we’ve had practice reps. we’ve had shootaround time. we’ve had time with each other and. like. I’m not about to come in here and make an excuse for us. like. we just have to be better. That’s just what it is. It’s not about the reps. it’s not about the playing time. it’s not about none of that stuff. It’s about having some heart and playing with some f–king heart.”.

The Liberty, who’ve lost three of their last four games, are now set to wrap up their four-game road trip Sunday against the Golden State Valkyries.

The problem, as New York has shown at times, isn’t just a single night. The Liberty have been complacent. They’ve played down to opponents. Effort and focus have slipped in ways that hurt, especially when opponents don’t do the same.

New York’s stretch has included disappointing losses against the Portland Fire, Washington Mystics, Los Angeles Sparks and Storm.

And for this matchup, playing down to anyone won’t be an option—because the Valkyries don’t arrive built for “taking what you give.” They bring smothering team defense.

Golden State enters Sunday off back-to-back wins, including a Friday night 78-75 win over the Atlanta Dream in a rock fight. The Valkyries are led by All-Star candidate Gabby Williams, and Williams said that Friday’s performance is a message to anyone watching.

“We knew that Atlanta was really going to go after us after that first game and I think it’s going to be something similar with New York. ” Williams said. “We know how bad New York wants this after seeing what happened with them in Seattle. And so just expecting that they’re going to want to throw that first punch. and I think the way we handle tonight. that gives me confidence that we can handle New York on Sunday.”.

For New York, that reads like a warning shot—especially because the Valkyries already proved they can hurt them. Earlier this season, Golden State demolished the Libs 87-70 at the start of their Brooklyn homestand. In that loss, turnovers, missed shots and poor execution on defense were major factors in the Liberty’s demise.

Since then, New York’s defense has improved immensely. It’s the kind of improvement the Liberty didn’t have May 21, when the team was without Leonie Fiebich, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton and Sabrina Ionescu.

All three are back.

Leonie Fiebich has been on a tear over the past four games, averaging 15.8 points on 55.6 percent shooting, including 59.1 percent from deep.

Jonquel Jones has also continued pushing her All-Star case. She’s shooting 79.3 percent in the restricted area and 44.9 percent from behind the arc. She’s averaging 17 points and 9.1 rebounds in June.

Breanna Stewart—who did not play in the Liberty’s loss to the Storm to rest—is expected to be in the lineup against the Valkyries on Sunday.

But there’s still work to do. Sabrina Ionescu hasn’t found her footing in the Liberty’s flow offense, and she hasn’t looked her best defensively since returning from back soreness.

Even with that, the Bay Area matchup carries its own kind of pressure and symbolism. Ionescu has deep roots in the region. On Friday night, her high school gym in Orinda, Calif., was named in her honor.

Now Sunday night brings a chance at a different kind of legacy—one that would land with force. The Valkyries would be more than happy to bring the Bay Area native home, but New York will have to earn that chance by showing up with the kind of focus Jones demanded after Seattle.

Liberty Jonquel Jones Valkyries Gabby Williams Sabrina Ionescu Breanna Stewart Leonie Fiebich Betnijah Laney-Hamilton NBA WNBA turnovers smothering defense