The Liberty (7-3) got an easy victory over the shorthanded Phoenix Mercury, 89-71, at Barclays Center on Sunday.
Breanna Stewart led the way with 28 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists. It was the kind of bounce-back game she hoped for after shooting just 1-for-14 from the field in last week’s loss to the Atlanta Dream.
Stewart shot 7-for-13 this time and recorded her season-high in assists after spending some time running the point in practice with Sabrina Ionescu missing her second consecutive game due to a hamstring injury.
“I wanted to make an assertive effort to be aggressive especially at the start of the game and hopefully have everyone follow suit,” Stewart said postgame.
Stewart added: “[I’m] reading what the defense is giving us and depending on how they’re playing ball screens, usually a lot of people are looking at me and then [I’m] able to find the slipper or the person open in the corner.”
Stewart’s 28 points give her the most in franchise history (239) through the first 10 games of the season. Eight-time All-Star Tina Charles previously held the record with 216 points through the first 10 games in the 2018 season. Betnijah Laney was third with 210 points during her breakout 2021 season for the Liberty.
The Liberty led by double digits most of the way despite not having Ionescu in the lineup.
Sandy Brondello’s team has been able to fill in for Ionescu’s absence (16 points and four assists per game in 32 minutes) with the seamless addition of Marine Johannes and Jonquel Jones’ gradual return to peak performance following last season’s foot injury.
Jones played 22 minutes Sunday and her performance in the first half contributed to the early lead. Jones is more comfortable on the floor and is getting more looks with Ionescu out. She finished the first half with eight points on 4-of-9 shooting and grabbed five boards.
She came into Sunday averaging nine points in 20 minutes per game. She has surpassed that minutes total in the prior two games and poured in 13 points in 23 minutes Sunday. She also added 11 rebounds and three assists.
“Emphasis was to get JJ, especially with [Brittney Griner] out, closer to the rim,” Brondello said postgame. “And I think JJ did a really good job [today].”
Johannes got her second straight start in place of Ionescu. She shared point guard duties with Courtney Vandersloot and contributed three assists in 26 minutes.
“So what surprised me playing with her is how she’s able to really see everyone on the floor,” Stewart said when asked what shocks her playing with Johannes. “Her ability to find the person and you might not even know you’re open but she knows you’re open.”
Stewart also credited Johannes’ speed coming off of ball screens, which is “really difficult for the defense to guard.”
Johannes scored 10 points on 50% shooting from the field. Vandersloot contributed seven assists and added in eight points in the win.
The bench unit also aided in the win, as every active Liberty player got action in Sunday’s matinee. Kayla Thornton scored six points and was a +5 in 15 minutes of action. Stefanie Dolson (three) and Nyara Sabally (two) hit all of their field goal attempts in 17 minutes and eight minutes played, respectively.
“I thought they’ve been doing well in practice. So they should be rewarded for that,” Brondello said about her bench unit, who contributed 22 points on 56% shooting from the field.
Brondello was able to get 11 minutes from guard Epiphanny Prince, who played her first game with the Liberty since signing her hardship contract on Saturday.
“It helped obviously having Piph so [we] can have another point guard and Sloot didn’t have to play 40 minutes.”
The shorthanded Mercury didn’t have enough with Griner (hip), Diana Taurasi (hamstring) and Skylar Diggins-Smith (pregnancy/childbirth) all out for the matchup.
It was Griner’s first appearance at Barclays Center this season after being freed from a Russian penal colony in December. The seven-time All-Star received a standing ovation Sunday after a video tribute in the first half.
“It was definitely great seeing BG. It was my first time seeing her since she’s gotten back,” Stewart said. “So I was a little bit emotional seeing her, but also really proud of the way she’s kind of handling everything on and off the court.
“She’s an inspiration to really everybody and just happy she’s home safe and back with us in the WNBA.”
Mercury forward Michaela Onyenwere also received a video tribute in her first game back at Barclays Center after being traded in the offseason. The former sixth-overall draft pick and Rookie of the Year recipient finished with five points in 12 minutes after leaving the game with a face injury.
“I’m happy for Michaela,” Brondello said about the former Liberty forward’s progression. “It’s always hard when you’re traded from a team that’s drafted you, but I said this is an opportunity to get more minutes, and to grow. And she’s taken that with two hands.”
Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham led the way for Phoenix with 27 points. Guard Sug Sutton scored 10 points and dished nine assists.
The Liberty’s next game will be against the Dream on the road on Friday. The Mercury (2-8) will look to end their three-game skid against the Las Vegas Aces on Wednesday.
