Last Updated on August 7, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The New York Liberty 2023 paired elite offensive firepower with outstanding defensive balance, led by Breanna Stewart’s scoring, rebounding, and rim protection alongside Sabrina Ionescu’s perimeter shooting and playmaking. Jonquel Jones controlled the glass and anchored the interior, while Courtney Vandersloot orchestrated the offense with efficient distribution. New York’s statistical profile reflected exceptional ball movement, efficient shooting, dominant rebounding, and one of the league’s most complete two-way performances.

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
Breanna Stewart Starter/Star (1.1) 34.1 High (1.2) 23.0 9.3 3.8 3.1 95.57 Two-way superstar who operated as New York’s primary interior scorer, defensive anchor, and late-clock option. Stewart’s ability to score from the post, stretch the floor, and protect the rim gave the Liberty a matchup problem every night, with writers frequently pointing to her versatility as the foundation of the team’s championship push. WNBA MVP (2023); All-Star (2023); All-WNBA First Team (2023); WNBA Champion (2024)
Sabrina Ionescu Starter/Star (1.1) 31.5 High (1.2) 17.0 5.6 5.4 1.3 63.10 Lead guard who evolved into a complete offensive organizer, Ionescu balanced high-volume three-point shooting with improved playmaking reads. Her ability to create advantages in pick-and-roll actions and quickly punish defensive rotations made her one of the Liberty’s most important perimeter weapons. All-Star (2023); All-WNBA Second Team (2023); All-Star Three-Point Contest Champion (2023)
Courtney Vandersloot Starter/Star (1.1) 30.4 Medium (1.1) 10.5 3.5 8.1 1.9 63.36 Veteran floor general who controlled tempo and organized one of the league’s most talented offenses. Vandersloot’s passing vision remained her defining trait, especially in half-court sets where she consistently created quality looks through timing, patience, and manipulation of defensive coverage. All-Star (2023); All-WNBA First Team (2022); WNBA Champion (2021)
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton Starter/Star (1.1) 30.0 Medium (1.1) 12.8 3.3 2.4 1.0 43.89 Defensive-minded wing who became an ideal complement to New York’s star trio. Laney provided physical perimeter defense, efficient scoring, and the ability to attack mismatches without needing plays designed for her, making her a key piece of the Liberty’s balanced lineup. WNBA All-Star (2021); All-WNBA Second Team (2021)
Jonquel Jones Starter/Star (1.1) 25.0 Medium (1.1) 11.3 8.4 1.8 1.9 52.14 Stretch center whose rebounding and shooting opened the floor for New York’s creators. Jones’ ability to defend the paint, finish around the rim, and hit perimeter shots forced opponents into difficult coverage decisions throughout the season. All-Star (2023); WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year (2018); WNBA Champion (2024)
Marine Johannes Key Contributor (1.05) 18.9 Low (1.0) 7.1 1.4 1.7 0.8 23.10 Offensive spark off the bench who provided instant creativity with deep shooting and unconventional passing. Johannes was used as a momentum-changing scorer, capable of stretching defenses beyond normal range and creating openings through quick decisions. FIBA Women’s EuroLeague Champion (2019)
Kayla Thornton Key Contributor (1.05) 17.3 Low (1.0) 4.5 3.5 0.7 1.0 19.11 Physical reserve forward who supplied toughness, rebounding, and defensive versatility. Thornton’s value came from doing the less visible work, including guarding stronger wings and providing energy in lineups built around New York’s stars. WNBA Champion (2024)
Stefanie Dolson Bench (1.0) 11.9 Low (1.0) 4.0 2.0 1.2 0.3 15.00 Reliable veteran big who helped maintain spacing with her shooting touch and passing ability. Dolson’s role was smaller, but her experience allowed New York to keep offensive structure when rotating through its frontcourt depth. WNBA Champion (2021); Olympic Gold Medalist (2021)
Nyara Sabally Bench (1.0) 7.9 Low (1.0) 2.3 2.1 0.2 0.3 9.80 Athletic reserve center who contributed in short bursts through mobility and rebounding. Sabally’s development role focused on providing energy, rim protection, and another long-bodied option behind the Liberty’s veteran frontcourt. Pac-12 All-Freshman Team (2019)
Epiphanny Prince Bench (1.0) 7.1 Low (1.0) 1.8 0.6 0.8 0.3 7.00 Veteran guard used sparingly for perimeter depth and ball handling. Prince’s experience gave New York another steady option when injuries or matchup situations required additional backcourt minutes. WNBA Champion (2016)
Jocelyn Willoughby Bench (1.0) 6.6 Low (1.0) 1.2 0.8 0.4 0.1 5.00 Reserve wing who mainly contributed through defensive effort and positional size. Willoughby’s limited minutes came within a deep rotation where New York prioritized veteran stability and established two-way players. SEC Sixth Woman of the Year (2019)
Han Xu Bench (1.0) 4.5 Low (1.0) 1.5 0.9 0.0 0.4 5.60 Skilled reserve center whose shooting range and size created an unusual matchup profile in brief appearances. Han’s opportunities were limited, but her offensive skill set remained valuable as a situational option. FIBA Asia Cup Champion (2021)
Team Totals — — — 97.7 40.8 24.5 15.9 — New York’s regular season success was built around an elite collection of star talent: Stewart’s two-way dominance, Ionescu and Vandersloot’s creation, and Jones’ interior versatility. The Liberty combined spacing, size, and defensive flexibility to become one of the league’s most complete teams. —

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) 38.0 High (1.2) 18.4 10.2 3.1 3.0 90.02 Two-way focal point who carried enormous responsibility throughout the postseason, Stewart was asked to score against physical defenses while anchoring New York’s interior defense. Her rebounding, shot blocking, and ability to create mismatches from the perimeter remained central to the Liberty’s championship run. WNBA MVP (2023); All-Star (2023); All-WNBA First Team (2023); WNBA Champion (2024)
Jonquel Jones Starter/Star (1.1) 34.7 Medium (1.1) 17.0 11.6 1.7 3.1 74.58 Dominant interior presence who became one of New York’s biggest matchup advantages, Jones combined elite rebounding with efficient scoring around the rim and occasional perimeter shooting. Her defensive rebounding and rim protection were repeatedly highlighted as major reasons opponents struggled to control the paint. All-Star (2023); WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year (2018); WNBA Champion (2024)
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton Starter/Star (1.1) 36.1 Medium (1.1) 15.2 4.1 3.0 0.8 54.65 Defensive wing who elevated her offensive role during the playoffs, Laney provided tough perimeter defense while attacking gaps and knocking down timely shots. Her ability to guard elite scorers allowed New York to maintain lineup flexibility around its star frontcourt. All-WNBA Second Team (2021); WNBA All-Star (2021)
Courtney Vandersloot Starter/Star (1.1) 32.6 Medium (1.1) 10.6 3.9 6.3 2.0 55.44 Veteran point guard who organized the Liberty offense under playoff pressure, Vandersloot’s passing and control of tempo remained her greatest strengths. She consistently created advantages through ball movement and helped maximize the scoring opportunities of New York’s frontcourt stars. All-Star (2023); All-WNBA First Team (2022); WNBA Champion (2021)
Sabrina Ionescu Starter/Star (1.1) 35.1 High (1.2) 13.7 4.2 4.7 1.5 50.16 Primary perimeter creator who faced increased defensive attention throughout the postseason, Ionescu balanced playmaking with high-volume three-point shooting. Her ability to stretch defenses and make quick decisions in pick-and-roll actions remained a major part of New York’s offensive identity. All-Star (2023); All-WNBA Second Team (2023); All-Star Three-Point Contest Champion (2023)
Marine Johannes Key Contributor (1.05) 11.4 Low (1.0) 2.7 0.7 0.8 0.3 9.45 Creative reserve guard who provided occasional offensive unpredictability through shooting range and passing flair. Johannes’ minutes were limited, but her willingness to take difficult perimeter shots gave New York another spacing option against aggressive defenses. FIBA Women’s EuroLeague Champion (2019)
Kayla Thornton Bench (1.0) 10.1 Low (1.0) 3.2 1.5 0.3 0.3 10.60 Physical reserve forward used for defensive energy and lineup toughness. Thornton’s role centered on guarding larger wings, competing on the glass, and providing effort possessions rather than high offensive usage. WNBA Champion (2024)
Stefanie Dolson Bench (1.0) 4.6 Low (1.0) 1.3 0.5 0.1 0.1 4.00 Veteran frontcourt depth option who saw limited postseason action. Dolson’s value came from her experience, shooting ability, and understanding of spacing concepts within New York’s offensive system. WNBA Champion (2021); Olympic Gold Medalist (2021)
Jocelyn Willoughby Bench (1.0) 2.3 Low (1.0) 0.7 0.3 0.0 0.3 2.60 Reserve wing who appeared in short stretches, primarily offering length and defensive effort. Willoughby’s opportunities were limited in a deep playoff rotation built around established veterans. SEC Sixth Woman of the Year (2019)
Nyara Sabally Bench (1.0) 1.3 Low (1.0) 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.3 1.80 Young frontcourt reserve who received brief postseason minutes behind New York’s experienced big rotation. Sabally’s athleticism and defensive potential remained her primary development strengths. Pac-12 All-Freshman Team (2019)
Team Totals — — — 82.8 36.9 20.3 15.4 — New York’s playoff formula centered on elite frontcourt size, versatile defense, and multiple creators. Stewart and Jones controlled the interior, while Ionescu and Vandersloot provided the perimeter organization needed to support a championship-level offense. WNBA Champion (2024)