Breanna Stewart kicked off the WNBA season with a statement performance, dropping 31 points and grabbing 10 rebounds to lead a short-handed New York Liberty to a dominant 106-75 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Friday night.
Despite missing three key players, the Liberty showed no signs of slowing down. Star guard Sabrina Ionescu sat out with a left foot injury sustained in last Sunday's preseason matchup against the Sun, while free-agent additions Rebecca Allen (left leg) and Satou Sabally (cyst) were also sidelined. But New York's depth proved more than enough to handle the defending Eastern Conference champions.
Marine Johannes chipped in 17 points, and the Liberty exploded out of the gate with a 36-13 first quarter that effectively decided the game. Stewart was unstoppable in the opening period, scoring 10 points on a perfect 4-for-4 shooting. Even Julia Vanloo, signed as a hardship player just a night before the game when the Liberty were down to seven available players, made an immediate impact with seven points in the first quarter alone. She finished the night with an impressive stat line of 12 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds.
The game also featured an emotional moment between the two teams. After the first quarter, the Liberty played a touching tribute video for former player Kennedy Burke, who now suits up for the Sun. The sellout crowd gave her a standing ovation as tears streamed down her face—a reminder that even in fierce competition, respect runs deep in this league.
Connecticut never recovered from New York's opening surge. The Liberty took a commanding 66-37 lead into halftime, marking their highest-scoring first half in three years. Diamond Miller led the Sun with 16 points, while Brittney Griner added 13 in her debut with Connecticut.
The night was also a celebration of the WNBA's 30th anniversary, with the Liberty—one of the league's original franchises—honoring the milestone in style. A retro court design from the team's Madison Square Garden days set the nostalgic tone, while beloved former mascot Maddie made a special appearance. Liberty Ring of Honor member Kym Hampton added to the festivities by singing the national anthem.
For the Liberty, this season-opening rout sends a clear message: even without their full roster, they have the talent and chemistry to compete at the highest level. And with Stewart leading the charge, New York fans have plenty of reasons to be excited about what's ahead.