New York Liberty Start of Liberty season exposing key issue with vital facet of their game By Madeline Kenney Published May 13, 2026, 9:04 p.m. ET Portland uard Kamiah Smalls drives on Pauline Astier during the Liberty's road loss to the Fire on May 12, 2026. Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images PORTLAND — The Liberty’s season is still in its infancy, but the team’s defense needs some work.
After being ravaged by injuries a season ago, New York opened its 2026 campaign short-handed, suiting up only nine players — two of whom are signed to hardship contracts.
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The Liberty are missing Sabrina Ionescu (left foot), Satou Sabally (cyst) and Rebecca Allen (left leg). Leonie Fiebich and Raquel Carrera have not made their way stateside as they wrap up their overseas commitments.
So, perhaps it’s too soon to be overly critical of New York’s defense considering all this. After all, the return of Sabally, Fiebich and Allen, in particular, should help improve some of New York’s defensive shortcomings.
