Liberty Face Sky as Playoffs Loom, Reese in Spotlight
The New York Liberty will take the court one final time before the WNBA playoffs, while questions continue to swirl around the Chicago Sky and star forward Angel Reese at the end of a difficult season.
At 26-17, the Liberty are locked into the No. 5 seed and will open the postseason on the road. For the first time since the early weeks of the season, they have a healthy roster with Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Nyara Sabally back in action. They closed their home schedule on Tuesday with a 75-66 victory over Washington, their fourth win in six games. Former Sky center Emma Meesseman scored 19 points off the bench, Stewart added 14, and Jonquel Jones contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds. Jones noted the team’s perseverance: “This has been a tough season for us, the injuries and all that. Everybody can play together now, build that chemistry.”
New York could opt to rest some starters in Thursday’s finale against Chicago, but will carry momentum into its title defense. The Liberty has also shown depth, with Jones producing her first double-double in four games earlier this week.
The Sky, meanwhile, has struggled to a 10-33 record and only three wins in their last 23 contests. One of those victories came at New York on Aug. 21, a 91-85 result led by Kamilla Cardoso’s 22 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists, while Reese added 21 points and 10 boards. Cardoso has been one of Chicago’s most reliable performers this season, averaging 13.4 points and 8.6 rebounds.
Reese’s impact has been diminished by lingering back issues and off-court drama, including her public criticism of the franchise and demand for stronger roster support. The team suspended her for the first half of Sunday’s game in Las Vegas for “statements detrimental to the team,” and she did not play at all. She also sat out Tuesday’s 92-61 loss to the Aces, marking her third straight absence, while Cardoso managed 13 points and 13 rebounds.
Reese’s availability for Thursday remains unclear, leaving uncertainty about her immediate role and long-term future in Chicago. The Liberty’s last meeting with the Sky saw Jones score 25 points and Ionescu add 16, but Stewart missed the contest with a knee injury.
