The New York Liberty suffered a 76-67 defeat against the Golden State Valkyries on Sunday at the Chase Center, marking their fourth loss in the last five games. This challenging stretch has intensified scrutiny on the team, which is still working to develop cohesion under first-year head coach Chris DeMarco.
Golden State established control late in the second quarter, igniting a scoring run that gave them a 12-point lead at halftime. The Liberty managed only 29 points in the first half, their lowest output to date this season. The Valkyries then extended their advantage to as much as 22 points as the game progressed.
Golden State Bench Delivers Key Contributions
While the Liberty struggled to keep pace, the depth of the Valkyries’ roster proved decisive. Golden State’s bench outscored New York’s reserves by a wide margin, 39 to 11. The second unit was spearheaded by Veronica Burton, who contributed eight points, eight assists, and six rebounds, energizing the Valkyries’ efforts off the bench.
For New York, Jonquel Jones stood out with a team-high 21 points. Veteran forward Breanna Stewart added 15 points, but the team’s offensive rhythm was hindered by Sabrina Ionescu’s ongoing recovery from an early-season injury. Ionescu failed to score in the first half and finished with only nine points on 3-of-10 shooting.
Following the loss, Stewart candidly addressed the team’s performance, signaling the need for greater intensity and execution as the Liberty prepare for the upcoming WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Final. With the postseason approaching, the pressure mounts for New York to find consistency and improve their chemistry on the court.