CHAMPS DON’T SLOW DOWN: Liberty Crush Chicago, Extend Undefeated Streak

Liberty Dominate Sky, Extend Historic Undefeated Streak to 9-0

By NWO SPARROW

NEW YORK — The New York Liberty continued their scorching start to the 2025 season, dismantling the Chicago Sky 85-66 in a Commissioner’s Cup matchup at Barclays Center on Tuesday night. With the win, the Liberty improved to a league-best 9-0, setting a new franchise record for the best start in team history.

From the opening tip, New York’s suffocating defense set the tone, holding Chicago scoreless until the 5:49 mark in the first quarter—the longest defensive stand to open a game by any WNBA team this season. The Liberty never looked back, leading by as many as 30 points before cruising to another statement victory.

Sabrina Ionescu led the charge with a game-high 23 points, seven assists, and four steals, finishing with a staggering +30 plus/minus. Breanna Stewart controlled the glass with seven rebounds, while Kennedy Burke continued her red-hot shooting from beyond the arc, going 3-for-3 from three-point range. Burke, now leading the league in three-point percentage (63.3%), has tied a franchise record with seven consecutive made threes over her last two games.

Chicago’s Angel Reese fought hard with a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double, but the Sky (2-6) struggled to keep pace with New York’s offensive firepower and defensive intensity. Nyara Sabally, making her first career WNBA start, added a season-high nine points on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting, while Natasha Cloud quietly made history, tying Cappie Pondexter for ninth on the WNBA’s all-time assists list (1,578).

Historic Dominance

The Liberty’s +171 point differential, 104 three-pointers made, and 23.4 net rating are now all-time WNBA records through the first nine games of a season. Their unselfish, high-octane style has made them the team to beat—and they’re showing no signs of slowing down.

Vocal Opinion: The Liberty’s Quiet Confidence is Their Greatest Strength

What makes this New York Liberty team so dangerous isn’t just their talent—it’s their mindset. Fresh off a 2024 WNBA championship, they could easily bask in the spotlight, embracing superstar egos and media hype. Instead, they’ve doubled down on what got them here: humility, focus, and a relentless work ethic.

Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones could dominate headlines with every performance, yet they let their game speak for itself. Kennedy Burke, now leading the league in three-point shooting, isn’t chasing fame—she’s chasing perfection within the system. Even role players like Nyara Sabally and Marine Johannès (who notched her 200th career assist tonight) step up without needing fanfare.

This isn’t a team obsessed with individual accolades. They’re locked in on winning, on playing the right way, and on sustaining excellence. That’s why they’re 9-0. That’s why they’re breaking records. And that’s why, even as defending champs, they still play like they have something to prove.

The New York Liberty are transforming the WNBA into a must-see major league spectacle, backed by roaring crowds at Barclays Center and a superstar roster playing electrifying basketball. With sellout games, record-breaking performances, and a championship-caliber swagger, the Liberty aren’t just winning—they’re making New York proud, giving the city a team worth bragging about. From Sabrina Ionescu’s deep threes to Breanna Stewart’s dominance, this squad isn’t just elevating women’s basketball—they’re proving it belongs center stage in the sports world.

The Liberty aren’t just the best team in the WNBA right now—they’re the most focused. And that’s a scary thought for the rest of the league.

Next Up: The Liberty look to extend their streak when they face the Indiana Fever on Friday, while the Sky return home to take on the Atlanta Dream.

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