On October 24, 2024, the New York Liberty celebrated a historic victory in Heroes Canyon, Manhattan, securing their first-ever WNBA championship and ending a 51-year professional basketball title drought for the city. Sabrina Ionescu sported a “YERRRnescu” shirt, while Jonquel Jones proudly displayed the WNBA Finals MVP trophy alongside the Bahamian flag, marking a moment that seemed to fulfill long-held dreams for the team.
However, the high of victory was short-lived. Less than a year later, the Liberty faced a disappointing first-round playoff exit in 2025 and subsequently dismissed head coach Sandy Brondello. So what led to New York’s downturn that year?
The team certainly kicked off the season with intensity, determined to shake off any “championship hangover.” They dominated early, featuring a highly anticipated July 30 rematch against the Minnesota Lynx—both top contenders fresh from their finals clash. Jonquel Jones kept up her dominant form following her Finals MVP run, and Ionescu was a reliable scorer and playmaker. Rookie Natasha Cloud brought needed perimeter defense after losses to the expansion draft and injury setbacks. New York surged with nine straight wins and 10 victories in their first 11 games, fueling excitement around their repeat chances.
But trouble soon hit. By July, star forward Brianna Stewart was sidelined with a bone bruise, struggling all season after meniscus surgery in March and returning to play too soon, as she admitted. Despite strong contributions in points, steals, and blocks, Stewart was clearly not fully recovered, and her declining three-point shooting—hitting a career low of 24.1% in 2025—hurt the team’s offense. Injuries also limited key players like Jonquel Jones, Ionescu, Leoni Fievic, and especially Nyara Sabally, who played only 17 games due to a knee injury. The team’s promising start faded under the weight of these setbacks.
Amid challenges, a few positives emerged. Kennedy Burke had a career-best season, stepping up as a bench contributor and occasional starter, while newcomer Emma Meesseman, acquired mid-season, made an immediate impact with solid scoring and minutes.
After a hot 10-1 start, the team stumbled, losing five of seven games and enduring a four-game skid. Their final stretch saw them finish 10-7, but they fell to the Phoenix Mercury in a three-game playoff series, ending hopes of a repeat championship or Minnesota rematch. The disappointing season brought significant changes.
Coach Brondello was fired, taking the helm of the new Toronto Tempo expansion team. The Liberty hired Golden State Warriors assistant coach Chris DeMarco, a move praised by Stewart and aligned with the franchise’s renewed focus on player development, tactical expertise, and championship aspirations. General manager Jonathan Kolb emphasized DeMarco’s unique blend of emotional intelligence, work ethic, and basketball acumen as key to maximizing the team’s potential and building a winning culture.
This coaching change, although surprising after a title win, reflects the WNBA’s fiercely competitive landscape—a “win now” mentality without room for complacency. DeMarco takes over amid ongoing collective bargaining negotiations and roster uncertainties, tasked with delivering immediate success.
Fan Take: This rollercoaster season for the Liberty underscores how quickly fortunes can change in the WNBA and highlights the high stakes teams face after a championship. For fans, it’s a compelling story of resilience, leadership shifts, and the relentless pursuit of excellence that keeps growing the excitement and drama of women’s basketball.
