Add The New York Post on Google Nothing is better than the comforts of home when you can get them, and the Liberty are looking to savor those as they begin a rare seven-game homestand in Brooklyn.
Starting with Thursday’s game against the Golden State Valkyries, the Liberty don’t travel again until June 8 to face the Connecticut Sun.
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To Jonquel Jones, this stretch means more time with her dog, Rylo, whom she has previously called her good luck charm. She will also go on a flower shopping spree to liven up her apartment.
“[I] can know they’re not gonna die while I’m on the road,” the 2024 Finals MVP said after practice Wednesday. “I think it’s really important. Obviously, when you’re on the road, you miss your bed. You miss so many things you are used to when being at home.
“I get to have dinner with friends and different stuff like that. Enjoy being home. … Stuff like that really goes a long way.”
The Liberty don’t see another home stretch beyond three games for the rest of the season. Of their last 10 regular-season games, six are home but split among two two-game road trips, including to Toronto.
“For me, mentally, this is amazing,” Breanna Stewart added.
Megan Gustafson #17 of the Portland Fire boxes out Alex Fowler #12 of the New York Liberty during the game on May 14, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images Stewart said the extended time in New York will help the Liberty build confidence in the early going.
They’ve already built up some while starting the year short-handed. Heading into Thursday, they hold a 3-1 record despite Sabrina Ionescu (left foot) and Satou Sabally (cyst) being on the mend. They are expected to return soon, and Leonie Fiebich and Raquel Carrera are expected back from overseas shortly as well.
As of Wednesday, the Liberty held the highest average of points per game (100) and the highest 3-point shooting percentage (37.9) in the WNBA. Their early success has been powered by Marine Johannès and Pauline Astier stepping up in the backcourt, and Stewart is nearly averaging a double-double per game.
Yet, there are things that still need to be addressed.
The Liberty are tied for 12th in turnovers per game (16) in the 15-team league, and they need to improve on the boards, where they rank sixth with 33.2 as of Wednesday.
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“Knowing that we are going to have players coming in and hopefully we are going to add into our offense and defensive bag a little bit, and building confidence behind that,” Stewart added. “The fans are behind us 100 percent.”
There is a belief those parts of their game will improve, especially while under their own roof for a while. Johannès, Jones and Stewart believe this Liberty group is more “focused,” which can partly be attributed to the new system in Brooklyn.
“I don’t think it was a lack of focus last year. I think it was just more comfortability in a system that we were already used to,” Jones said. “So, I do believe there is a deeper focus this year because of that new system, new coaching staff and us really trying to figure it out.”
Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) drives to the basket during the second half against Portland Fire forward Nyadiew Puoch (13) at Moda Center. Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images A year ago, the Liberty got off to a stunning 9-0 start on the heels of winning a championship. However, eventually injuries plagued the team, causing them to struggle for wins in the latter half of the season before they were bounced early in the playoffs.
Many on the team lived through all three phases, but several are new to the league entirely.
Stewart said there is a “freshness” to this group that brings a different vibe to a core that has endured so much. Combined, it makes for a diverse team with championship aspirations and expectations.
“Everything that we do is exciting, new — traveling, food, whatever. Money,” the two-time MVP said of the WNBA newbies on the Liberty. “The crew that’s really been here … has kind of felt all the things and knows exactly what we want to get to and how we need to get there.”
