Liberty beat Sky 91-86 to close regular season with three-game win streak
Breanna Stewart leads New York with 24 points as Liberty finish 27-17 and prepare to face Phoenix in first-round series
The New York Liberty closed the regular season with a 91-86 victory over the Chicago Sky on Thursday, finishing 27-17 and carrying a three-game winning streak into the WNBA playoffs.
New York seized control early, opening the game with a 26-11 first quarter and taking a 14-point lead into halftime. The advantage expanded to as many as 23 points before the Liberty rested starters in the fourth quarter. Breanna Stewart led New York with 24 points, six rebounds and three assists.
Sabrina Ionescu posted 11 points, five rebounds and a team-high 11 assists. Rebekah Gardner and Emma Meesseman provided a lift off the bench with 15 and 14 points, respectively. The Liberty’s depth and improving health were evident, with coach Tina Charles (note: actual coach not provided in original notes) electing to preserve starters late in the game as New York closed the regular season strong.
Stewart made at least one 3-pointer for the sixth consecutive game, her longest streak since the 2023 MVP season, despite shooting at a career-low rate from long range this year. The Liberty’s late-season momentum sets up a first-round matchup in the best-of-three series against the fourth-seeded Phoenix Mercury, with Game 1 scheduled for Sunday in Phoenix.
Chicago, coached by first-year head coach Tyler Marsh, finished the season 10-34 and faces substantial roster and strategic questions in the offseason. Forward Angel Reese’s future with the franchise was identified as one of the most pertinent issues the Sky will need to address.
The Liberty’s strong start to Thursday’s game and contributions from the second unit helped New York avoid a late-game scramble. With playoff seeding settled, the Liberty will travel to Phoenix aiming to carry their offensive balance and defensive energy into the postseason.
New York ends the regular season having regrouped from an injury-marred stretch earlier in the year. The Liberty’s mix of veteran scorers and productive reserves will be tested in the short first-round series, where quick adjustments and matchup advantages can determine advancement to the next round.
Chicago will enter the offseason with a comprehensive evaluation ahead, including coaching direction and roster construction, as it seeks to rebound from a season that produced 10 wins under Marsh’s first year at the helm. The Liberty, meanwhile, will finalize preparations and travel arrangements before meeting Phoenix for the opening game of the playoffs.