Last Updated on August 2, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The New York Liberty 2025 featured a balanced, high-powered offense led by Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, with Jonquel Jones providing interior scoring, rebounding, and rim protection. Natasha Cloud directed the attack as the primary playmaker while Leonie Fiebich added efficient two-way production. The Liberty combined strong ball movement, efficient shooting, and reliable free-throw accuracy, pairing a top-tier offense with solid overall defense to remain among the league’s strongest teams.

HeatingUp Impact Index: Regular Season Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Sabrina Ionescu Starter/Star (1.1) 31.4 High (1.2) 18.2 4.9 5.7 1.7 63.36 Lead guard and offensive organizer who continued to carry New York’s perimeter creation. Ionescu’s combination of pick-and-roll playmaking, deep shooting range, and improved defensive activity allowed her to control games without needing every possession to end with a shot. All-Star (2025); All-WNBA Second Team (2024); All-Star Three-Point Contest Champion (2023)
Breanna Stewart Starter/Star (1.1) 30.6 High (1.2) 18.3 6.5 3.5 2.8 64.94 Two-way star who remained one of the league’s most complete frontcourt players, Stewart balanced scoring versatility with elite defensive instincts. Her ability to operate inside, stretch the floor, and protect the rim gave New York a reliable matchup advantage every night. All-Star (2025); All-WNBA Second Team (2024); WNBA MVP (2023); WNBA Champion (2024)
Natasha Cloud Starter/Star (1.1) 29.0 Medium (1.1) 10.1 3.7 5.1 1.5 44.53 Veteran point guard who brought defensive toughness and organization to New York’s backcourt. Cloud’s value came from controlling tempo, defending primary creators, and making connective plays that allowed the Liberty’s stars to operate more comfortably. WNBA Champion (2019); All-Defensive First Team (2022)
Jonquel Jones Starter/Star (1.1) 26.8 Medium (1.1) 13.6 8.1 2.7 1.6 52.80 Skilled stretch center who continued to give New York interior strength and spacing. Jones’ rebounding, pick-and-pop shooting, and ability to punish smaller defenders made her one of the team’s most important offensive counters. All-Star (2025); All-Star (2024); WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year (2018); WNBA Champion (2024)
Leonie Fiebich Starter/Star (1.1) 28.1 Medium (1.1) 8.7 3.5 1.7 1.3 36.96 Versatile two-way wing who became a trusted starter through efficient shooting and smart decision-making. Fiebich’s ability to space the floor, defend multiple positions, and avoid mistakes made her a valuable piece around New York’s higher-usage stars. WNBA Champion (2024); EuroLeague Women Champion (2023)
Emma Meesseman Key Contributor (1.05) 25.9 Medium (1.1) 13.4 5.1 3.2 2.0 51.30 Skilled forward-center who added another layer of offensive versatility with her passing, shooting touch, and interior scoring. Meesseman’s basketball IQ allowed New York to run creative actions through the frontcourt and gave defenses another difficult matchup. WNBA MVP (2019); WNBA Finals MVP (2019); WNBA Champion (2019)
Kennedy Burke Key Contributor (1.05) 21.6 Low (1.0) 8.1 2.4 1.3 1.2 27.30 Reliable reserve wing who contributed through efficient scoring and perimeter shooting. Burke’s role centered around keeping lineups functional with spacing and defensive versatility rather than high-volume creation. WNBA Champion (2024)
Marine Johannes Key Contributor (1.05) 18.3 Low (1.0) 6.4 1.9 1.6 0.9 21.39 Creative offensive weapon whose quick-trigger shooting and inventive passing provided a different rhythm. Johannes remained valuable as a player who could change the flow of a game with difficult shots and aggressive offensive reads. FIBA Women’s EuroLeague Champion (2019)
Nyara Sabally Key Contributor (1.05) 17.9 Low (1.0) 5.4 4.5 0.8 1.5 25.83 Athletic frontcourt reserve who impacted games with rebounding, mobility, and rim protection. Sabally’s ability to cover ground defensively gave New York another option when it wanted more energy and size inside. Pac-12 All-Freshman Team (2019)
Isabelle Harrison Bench (1.0) 10.6 Low (1.0) 4.9 2.6 0.7 0.7 17.80 Veteran interior depth piece who provided efficient scoring around the basket and physicality. Harrison’s minutes were limited, but her experience helped stabilize reserve units when called upon. WNBA All-Star (2015)
Rebekah Gardner Bench (1.0) 12.2 Low (1.0) 3.7 1.8 0.6 0.8 13.80 Defensive-minded wing who supplied energy and dependable effort in short stretches. Gardner’s role focused on perimeter defense, cutting, and doing the small things that support star-heavy lineups. WNBA Champion (2024)
Stephanie Talbot Bench (1.0) 12.4 Low (1.0) 2.5 2.2 1.5 0.7 13.80 Versatile reserve forward who contributed as a connector with passing and defensive awareness. Talbot’s ability to play multiple positions helped provide lineup flexibility behind the main rotation. WNBA Champion (2024)
Jaylyn Sherrod Bench (1.0) 5.8 Low (1.0) 1.2 0.6 0.6 0.6 6.00 Young defensive guard who earned brief opportunities through quickness and perimeter pressure. Sherrod’s role was primarily developmental while adjusting to the professional game. NCAA Champion (2024); SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2024)
Marquesha Davis Bench (1.0) 3.4 Low (1.0) 0.9 0.6 0.1 0.1 3.40 Rookie wing who saw limited minutes in a deep rotation. Davis’ athletic profile and defensive potential were the main areas of development during her opportunities. SEC All-Freshman Team (2021)
Team Totals — — — 126.3 47.4 28.2 18.0 — New York’s roster combined elite shot creation, frontcourt versatility, and defensive depth. Ionescu and Stewart remained the offensive foundation, while Cloud, Jones, Meesseman, and Fiebich gave the Liberty multiple ways to control games. WNBA Champion (2024)

HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Breanna Stewart Starter/Star (1.1) 31.7 High (1.2) 18.0 5.7 3.0 2.3 63.36 Two-way superstar who remained New York’s primary interior and late-game scoring option. Stewart’s ability to draw fouls, attack mismatches, and provide weak-side rim protection kept the Liberty competitive even when opponents focused their defensive game plans on slowing her down. All-Star (2025); All-WNBA Second Team (2024); WNBA MVP (2023); WNBA Champion (2024)
Sabrina Ionescu Starter/Star (1.1) 35.3 High (1.2) 15.7 5.3 4.7 1.3 58.32 Lead guard who carried significant offensive creation duties, Ionescu balanced aggressive shot-making with playmaking responsibilities. Her willingness to take difficult perimeter attempts stretched defenses, while her rebounding and passing helped New York maintain offensive flow. All-Star (2025); All-WNBA Second Team (2024); All-Star Three-Point Contest Champion (2023)
Natasha Cloud Starter/Star (1.1) 34.3 Medium (1.1) 12.7 3.7 3.0 3.0 54.12 Defensive-minded veteran guard who made a major impact through pressure defense, toughness, and efficient scoring. Cloud’s ability to handle primary defensive assignments while contributing as a secondary creator gave New York a valuable two-way presence. WNBA Champion (2019); All-Defensive First Team (2022)
Jonquel Jones Starter/Star (1.1) 30.0 Medium (1.1) 5.7 11.0 2.3 2.0 46.20 Rebounding anchor who influenced games despite limited scoring production. Jones controlled the glass, protected the rim, and created extra possessions, giving New York a physical advantage even when her perimeter shot was not falling. All-Star (2025); All-Star (2024); WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year (2018); WNBA Champion (2024)
Leonie Fiebich Starter/Star (1.1) 30.3 Medium (1.1) 5.0 3.7 1.3 0.6 23.32 Versatile wing whose defensive discipline and off-ball movement remained important within New York’s rotation. Fiebich’s ability to guard multiple positions and space the floor gave the Liberty lineup flexibility around its high-usage stars. WNBA Champion (2024); EuroLeague Women Champion (2023)
Emma Meesseman Key Contributor (1.05) 13.3 Low (1.0) 4.3 5.3 2.0 0.0 25.20 Skilled frontcourt creator who provided passing and offensive versatility in limited minutes. Meesseman’s ability to read defenses and operate from different areas of the floor gave New York another experienced option despite inconsistent shooting in the series. WNBA MVP (2019); WNBA Finals MVP (2019); WNBA Champion (2019)
Kennedy Burke Bench (1.0) 17.3 Low (1.0) 4.7 2.3 0.3 1.0 16.60 Reserve wing who contributed through defensive versatility and spacing attempts. Burke’s role was primarily to provide physical minutes against opposing wings while supporting a rotation centered on established stars. WNBA Champion (2024)
Isabelle Harrison Bench (1.0) 7.0 Low (1.0) 4.0 2.0 0.0 2.0 16.00 Veteran interior reserve who made an impact immediately in a brief appearance with efficient scoring and defensive activity. Harrison’s experience provided frontcourt depth during short rotation stretches. WNBA All-Star (2015)
Marine Johannes Bench (1.0) 10.0 Low (1.0) 3.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 10.00 Creative shooter used for a short offensive stint. Johannes’ value came from her ability to create space and attempt difficult perimeter shots, though limited opportunities restricted her overall impact. FIBA Women’s EuroLeague Champion (2019)
Nyara Sabally Bench (1.0) 7.0 Low (1.0) 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 8.00 Athletic reserve big who supplied energy and defensive activity in limited action. Sabally’s mobility allowed her to contribute in small stretches, especially when New York needed another interior presence. Pac-12 All-Freshman Team (2019)
Rebekah Gardner Bench (1.0) 5.0 Low (1.0) 1.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 2.60 Depth wing who saw limited minutes while providing defensive effort and lineup support. Gardner’s role was mainly focused on maintaining intensity during short appearances. WNBA Champion (2024)
Stephanie Talbot Bench (1.0) 9.0 Low (1.0) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 Reserve forward who received limited postseason opportunities. Talbot’s value came from her versatility and ability to fill multiple positions when needed. WNBA Champion (2024)
Team Totals — — — 75.5 37.6 17.6 13.2 — New York’s playoff attack relied heavily on Stewart and Ionescu creating offense while Cloud and Jones supplied defensive toughness. The Liberty’s depth allowed them to maintain size, versatility, and multiple playmaking options throughout the postseason. WNBA Champion (2024)