With 16 seconds left, Barclays Center crowd rose to its feet. White rally towels that resemble the Liberty’s original uniforms from 30 years ago waved throughout the stands. The fans didn’t stop cheering until the final buzzer sounded.
The Liberty opened the Chris DeMarco era with a resounding 106-75 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Friday night.
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The Liberty spent most of training camp trying to temper early-season expectations. After all, New York had a new coach and several new players, including marquee free agent signing Satou Sabally. DeMarco, the new coach, totally overhauled the Liberty’s lackluster offense and worked to reignite the defensive intensity that was a trademark of the 2024 title team.
They said they weren’t trying to win May but rather wanted to incrementally build over the course of the season.
But the Liberty — despite missing five players, including starters Sabrina Ionescu and Sabally — came out and dominated from the jump.
The game was essentially over at the end of the first quarter with the Liberty leading 36-13.
The Sun looked discombobulated and had no answers for New York, whose surgical offense frustrated Connecticut.
The Liberty had contributions from up and down the roster.
Breanna Stewart had said since she arrived at training camp last month that she felt like herself again. On Friday, she showed it.
Stewart notched the first double-double of the season with a game-high 31 points on 10-of-17 shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds. She also had three blocks.
Three other starters finished in double-figure scoring, including Marine Johannes, who added 17 points and went 5-for-9 from deep.
Julie Vanloo, whom the Liberty signed to a hardship contract Friday morning, offered a surprise boost off the bench, finishing with 12 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists.
The Liberty’s 36 points first-quarter points were more than they scored in any single quarter last season.
New York poured in another 30 points over the next 10 minutes to take a 66-37 lead into halftime.
The Sun tightened up defensively in the second half, and the game got chippy at times. But the Liberty ultimately overwhelmed Connecticut.
The Liberty are set to hit the road for a three-game trip that starts Sunday in Washington.
