Last Updated on August 7, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The New York Liberty 2022 were led by Sabrina Ionescu, whose scoring, playmaking, and rebounding made her the focal point of the offense, while Natasha Howard provided efficient interior scoring and defensive versatility. Marine Johannès added perimeter shooting, and Stefanie Dolson contributed floor spacing from the frontcourt. The Liberty relied on three-point shooting and ball movement to generate offense, but inconsistent defense and overall efficiency limited their success despite a competitive playoff appearance.
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) | 32.3 | High (1.2) | 17.4 | 7.1 | 6.3 | 1.4 | 76.03 | Primary creator and offensive engine, Ionescu carried heavy playmaking responsibility while stretching defenses as a high-volume three-point threat. Her 6.3 assists reflected her role controlling pace and creating shots for teammates, while her rebounding helped New York generate extra possessions. | All-Star (2022); All-Rookie Team (2020); All-Star Game MVP (2022) |
| Natasha Howard | Starter/Star (1.1) | 29.9 | High (1.2) | 15.1 | 7.3 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 71.28 | Versatile frontcourt anchor who handled scoring, rebounding, and defensive assignments, Howard gave New York a two-way presence around the basket. Writers highlighted her ability to guard multiple positions and provide reliable interior scoring after returning from injury setbacks. | All-Defensive Second Team (2022); WNBA Champion (2018); WNBA Champion (2020) |
| Marine Johannes | Key Contributor (1.05) | 25.5 | Medium (1.1) | 10.0 | 1.7 | 3.4 | 0.7 | 34.76 | Creative perimeter playmaker whose unpredictable handle and deep shooting added a different dimension to the Liberty offense. Johannes often operated as a spacing threat who could bend defenses with quick-trigger threes and inventive passing reads. | FIBA Women’s EuroLeague Champion (2019) |
| Betnijah Laney-Hamilton | Key Contributor (1.05) | 28.3 | Medium (1.1) | 11.2 | 3.3 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 33.86 | Defensive-minded wing who provided toughness and perimeter versatility when healthy. Laney’s ability to defend opposing scorers and attack closeouts made her an important complementary piece despite appearing in only nine games. | WNBA All-Star (2021); All-WNBA Second Team (2021) |
| Stefanie Dolson | Starter/Star (1.1) | 22.9 | Medium (1.1) | 8.1 | 4.8 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 34.10 | Stretch center who fit New York’s spacing approach with efficient shooting and smart interior positioning. Dolson’s value came from screening, passing from the frontcourt, and creating room for guards while providing steady rebounding. | WNBA Champion (2021); Olympic Gold Medalist (2021) |
| Rebecca Allen | Key Contributor (1.05) | 20.9 | Low (1.0) | 7.0 | 3.4 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 27.72 | Three-and-D wing whose length allowed her to impact games without dominating possessions. Allen provided defensive versatility and floor spacing, with her shot-blocking ability standing out for a perimeter player. | FIBA Women’s EuroBasket Champion (2017) |
| Crystal Dangerfield | Key Contributor (1.05) | 22.1 | Medium (1.1) | 5.4 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 23.54 | Backup guard who brought ball pressure and steady organization to the backcourt. After winning Rookie of the Year previously, she was used as a defensive-minded connector who could manage minutes behind the primary creators. | WNBA Rookie of the Year (2020); All-Rookie Team (2020) |
| Han Xu | Key Contributor (1.05) | 16.8 | Low (1.0) | 8.5 | 3.6 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 28.35 | Mobile interior scorer whose size and touch created matchup problems in limited minutes. Han’s ability to step outside and knock down jumpers gave New York another spacing option while her length helped around the rim. | FIBA Asia Cup Champion (2021) |
| Sami Whitcomb | Bench (1.0) | 21.3 | Low (1.0) | 6.5 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 23.80 | Veteran shooting guard used as an off-ball weapon and secondary ball handler. Whitcomb’s movement shooting and willingness to fire from deep helped keep defenses stretched, even when her efficiency fluctuated. | WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year (2020); WNBA Champion (2018) |
| Michaela Onyenwere | Bench (1.0) | 13.7 | Low (1.0) | 4.7 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 15.60 | Athletic young forward who was developing into a rotation option through energy plays and perimeter defense. Onyenwere provided transition ability and versatility but remained limited by inconsistent offensive production. | WNBA Rookie of the Year (2021); All-Rookie Team (2021) |
| DiDi Richards | Bench (1.0) | 11.1 | Low (1.0) | 2.3 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 11.80 | Defensive specialist whose value came from size, switchability, and effort rather than scoring volume. Richards was used in smaller stretches where her ability to guard wings and pressure the ball could influence matchups. | NCAA Champion (2020); Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (2020) |
| Jocelyn Willoughby | Bench (1.0) | 11.0 | Low (1.0) | 2.6 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 10.60 | Wing depth player who contributed mainly through hustle, length, and defensive activity. Willoughby showed flashes as a slasher and rebounder but struggled to earn consistent offensive opportunities in a crowded rotation. | SEC Sixth Woman of the Year (2019) |
| Lorela Cubaj | Bench (1.0) | 8.0 | Low (1.0) | 0.7 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 6.80 | Rookie reserve big relied on physical defense, rebounding instincts, and effort plays rather than offensive touches. Cubaj’s role was primarily to provide interior depth and absorb difficult practice assignments. | ACC Defensive Player of the Year (2021) |
| AD Durr | Bench (1.0) | 7.0 | Low (1.0) | 1.4 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 5.20 | Reserve guard returning to limited action after health challenges, Durr was mainly used for perimeter shooting and ball-handling depth. Their scoring opportunities were limited in a deep New York backcourt rotation. | WNBA All-Rookie Team (2019) |
| Team Totals | — | — | — | 101.0 | 44.0 | 29.4 | 13.8 | — | New York built its identity around Ionescu’s creation, Howard’s two-way impact, and a deep collection of versatile wings and shooters. The roster emphasized spacing, defensive flexibility, and multiple secondary playmakers. | — |
HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff 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) | 31.0 | High (1.2) | 14.3 | 6.0 | 4.3 | 1.3 | 68.64 | Offensive centerpiece who continued to control New York’s half-court creation, Ionescu combined pick-and-roll playmaking with aggressive perimeter shooting during the postseason. Her ability to rebound as a guard and initiate offense quickly was a major part of the Liberty’s transition game. | All-Star (2022); All-Star Game MVP (2022) |
| Natasha Howard | Starter/Star (1.1) | 27.7 | High (1.2) | 14.7 | 6.7 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 59.40 | Interior scorer and defensive anchor who carried much of the frontcourt workload, Howard attacked mismatches inside while also spacing the floor occasionally. Her postseason value came from versatility, with coaches relying on her ability to defend different positions and finish through contact. | All-Defensive Second Team (2022); WNBA Champion (2018); WNBA Champion (2020) |
| Betnijah Laney-Hamilton | Starter/Star (1.1) | 24.3 | Medium (1.1) | 11.3 | 4.0 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 45.54 | Two-way wing who gave New York a physical presence on the perimeter, Laney balanced defensive assignments with secondary creation duties. Her ability to pressure opposing scorers and attack closeouts made her an important playoff rotation piece despite limited offensive touches. | All-WNBA Second Team (2021); WNBA All-Star (2021) |
| Stefanie Dolson | Key Contributor (1.05) | 26.3 | Medium (1.1) | 6.3 | 3.7 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 32.73 | Stretch five who helped unlock spacing with screening, passing, and three-point range. Dolson’s playoff role centered around moving the ball from the frontcourt and defending larger opponents while maintaining offensive flow. | WNBA Champion (2021); Olympic Gold Medalist (2021) |
| Marine Johannes | Key Contributor (1.05) | 23.0 | Medium (1.1) | 5.7 | 2.3 | 4.3 | 1.7 | 32.34 | Creative offensive spark who brought an unpredictable element with deep shooting and advanced passing. Johannes was used as a change-of-pace creator, and her willingness to make difficult reads helped generate opportunities when the offense became stagnant. | FIBA Women’s EuroLeague Champion (2019) |
| Rebecca Allen | Key Contributor (1.05) | 16.3 | Low (1.0) | 4.3 | 3.0 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 20.58 | Defensive wing option who provided length and lineup flexibility more than scoring volume. Allen’s ability to guard multiple positions and contribute occasional floor spacing allowed New York to adjust matchups during playoff possessions. | FIBA Women’s EuroBasket Champion (2017) |
| Sami Whitcomb | Bench (1.0) | 14.7 | Low (1.0) | 3.7 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 14.00 | Veteran reserve guard used primarily for movement shooting and secondary ball handling. Whitcomb’s quick release and off-ball activity gave New York another perimeter option, even when her minutes were limited in the postseason rotation. | WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year (2020); WNBA Champion (2018) |
| Han Xu | Bench (1.0) | 10.0 | Low (1.0) | 5.3 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 17.80 | Mobile reserve center who provided a different matchup with her size and shooting touch. Han’s ability to stretch opposing bigs created tactical options, although her minutes were limited because New York leaned toward smaller versatile lineups. | FIBA Asia Cup Champion (2021) |
| Crystal Dangerfield | Bench (1.0) | 9.0 | Low (1.0) | 2.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 5.80 | Backup guard whose postseason role focused on ball security and perimeter defense in short stretches. Dangerfield brought previous starting experience, but New York relied more heavily on its larger playmakers during the playoff run. | WNBA Rookie of the Year (2020); All-Rookie Team (2020) |
| DiDi Richards | Bench (1.0) | 8.5 | Low (1.0) | 4.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 15.00 | Defensive-minded wing who earned minutes through energy, versatility, and willingness to guard bigger assignments. Richards contributed more through matchup value and physical defense than traditional offensive production. | NCAA Champion (2020); Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (2020) |
| Michaela Onyenwere | Bench (1.0) | 7.3 | Low (1.0) | 4.7 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 12.00 | Athletic reserve forward used in brief stretches for scoring bursts and transition pressure. Onyenwere’s role was reduced during the playoffs, but her ability to attack the basket gave the bench another athletic option. | WNBA Rookie of the Year (2021); All-Rookie Team (2021) |
| Jocelyn Willoughby | Bench (1.0) | 7.0 | Low (1.0) | 3.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 7.00 | Reserve wing who provided limited minutes while competing for rotation opportunities. Willoughby’s value came from size and defensive effort, though New York’s deeper wing rotation restricted her postseason involvement. | SEC Sixth Woman of the Year (2019) |
| Team Totals | — | — | — | 79.6 | 32.3 | 19.8 | 9.4 | — | New York’s playoff identity revolved around Ionescu’s creation, Howard’s interior versatility, and a deep group of switchable wings. The rotation emphasized defensive flexibility, spacing, and multiple secondary playmakers around its primary stars. | — |