Breanna Stewart admits Liberty’s ugly start has become unexpected problem originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The defending champions are suddenly searching for answers. After another frustrating loss Monday night, Breanna Stewart openly acknowledged that the New York Liberty are dealing with a far rougher start to the season than anyone inside the organization anticipated.
New York fell 81-74 to the expansion Portland Fire at Barclays Center, dropping the Liberty to 3-4 on the season. It also marked New York’s third consecutive home loss, something the franchise had not experienced since the 2022 season. For a team that entered the year with championship expectations again, the early struggles are becoming impossible to ignore.
Breanna Stewart sends honest message after Liberty collapse
Stewart did not try to sugarcoat the situation afterward.
“No, definitely not,” Stewart said when asked if she expected the Liberty’s 3-4 start.
The Liberty star still tried to keep perspective, emphasizing that the team is adjusting to major offseason changes, including first-year head coach Chris DeMarco replacing Sandy Brondello.
“My message to the players in the locker room is like, ‘Nobody expected this,’” Stewart said. “Not to say we thought it was going to be easy, because we definitely didn’t. But it’s going to take time. There’s going to be highs and lows.”
Stewart finished with 25 points in Monday’s loss, but even that was not enough to prevent another late-game collapse.
Fourth-quarter meltdown raises more concerns
The loss became especially alarming because New York appeared in control entering the fourth quarter. According to the New York Post, the Liberty committed four turnovers in the first two minutes of the final period as a double-digit lead quickly disappeared. New York was ultimately outscored 32-17 in the fourth quarter and finished with 19 turnovers overall.
The breakdown highlighted an issue that has repeatedly surfaced during the opening weeks of the season. The Liberty have struggled to put together complete performances for a full 40 minutes. Injuries and roster absences have only complicated matters.
Sabrina Ionescu missed Monday’s game because of left foot injury management, while Satou Sabally exited early because of illness after playing only four minutes. Forward Leonie Fiebich has also yet to suit up after returning from overseas play. That instability has left New York constantly shuffling lineups and rotations during the first month of the season.
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Liberty trying to avoid deeper spiral
Veteran Rebecca Allen urged patience after the game, pointing out that the Liberty are still searching for chemistry on both ends of the floor. Still, expectations in New York are much different than they were during the franchise’s rebuilding years.
This roster was built to compete for another title immediately. Instead, the Liberty are suddenly trying to stop a losing streak before the season’s first major spiral arrives. The good news for New York is that the schedule offers an immediate opportunity to regroup. The Liberty remain at home for their next four games, beginning with a matchup against the Phoenix Mercury, another team currently dealing with its own losing streak.
But after Monday night, Stewart made it clear the Liberty understand something important already. This season is not going according to plan.
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