The New York Liberty’s 2026 season is slowly mirroring its woes from last year’s campaign. From going unbeaten to clinch the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup last month, the Liberty has undergone a tremendous drop in form. Two stretches of three consecutive losses paint a picture of the team’s volatile form this season. Now, weathering a 13-11 record, team veteran Breanna Stewart has shared her two cents on Liberty’s unsettled 2026 season.
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“When things are hard, you have to fight through them, but you have to fight through them collectively and together,” Stewart said at the Post Moves podcast.
“That doesn’t mean that we’re going to win all the rest of our games, but at least it’s going to feel different when we do it together.
After 15 games, the NY Liberty were 11-4. However, since then, the squad is now 13-11 and fourth in the Eastern Conference. Yet even more glaring is the record before the franchise clinched its second Commissioner’s Cup.
“So, just continuing to kind of instill that message, knowing that the margin of error in the WNBA is so small. Like, the teams are good, everybody’s really good. So, we have to make sure that we’re locked in and intentional in what we’re doing,” she added. “Sometimes it’s just not going to go our way. And sometimes it is. But it’s like the way we do it. We want to make that consistent.”
Liberty reached the competition final thanks to a blistering 6-0 record across June in the Eastern Conference and won it. However, if those results are removed, the record is an underwhelming 7-11. Since winning the competition, the team has an abysmal 2-7 tally, including three straight losses last week. Their current losing streak is only bettered by the Phoenix Mercury, with four consecutive defeats.
This is an exact reflection of last season when Liberty went from 17-10 to 27-17. From an overall perspective, the season has been a tale of two stories.
On the one hand, the team led by Stewart has shown ample glimpses of its mettle. They have defeated powerhouses like the Minnesota Lynx and Las Vegas Aces this season. However, that is offset by a loss to the Seattle Storm.
The recurring injuries that the squad has faced this season have contributed immensely to this decline. For instance, veteran guard Sabrina Ionescu has been out for several games due to ankle and back injuries. Furthermore, star offseason acquisition Satou Sabally has also been on the sidelines for most of the season so far due to concussion protocol.
Such injuries in the crucial halves of the season have prevented the Liberty from fielding its strongest lineup. Yet with Stewart and Jones in the lineup, the team should perform better than its 13-11 record suggests.
Imago
BROOKLYN, NY – JULY 08: New York Liberty Forward Breanna Stewart 30 and Las Vegas Aces Center A ja Wilson 22 battle for the ball during the first half of the WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA game between the Las Vegas Aces and the New York Liberty on July 8, 2025, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire WNBA: JUL 08 Las Vegas Aces at New York Liberty EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon250708031
But the disappointing record also traces back to shortcomings on the court. For context, Liberty has struggled with ball security for most of the season. According to StatMuse, Stewart’s squad is one of the top teams in turnovers committed, with 370 so far.
This has highly plagued their performance on the court. This is where the team needs to take collective responsibility, as Breanna Stewart stated. The Liberty must make a quick turnaround to materialize any hopes of entering the playoffs. However, amid this, they face a team that has already scarred them this season.
New York Liberty and Breanna Stewart’s Path to Redemption Goes Through the Dallas Wings
The Dallas Wings have already handed the NY Liberty a reality check twice in the season. Despite being a young core, the Wings have bested a veteran team like New York. Now, in desperate need of a win, the Liberty must grab a win away from home at the College Park Center.
While New York is eager to secure a win, Dallas has won its last five games — all away from home. The team is on a roll at the moment with players like Paige Bueckers and Jessica Shepard firing all cylinders.
Stewart will be key for the Liberty heading into the matchup. Despite the results, she has been a consistent contributor. According to ESPN, Stewart is averaging 20.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. In short, she is Liberty’s anchor in the frontcourt, and the result will mostly depend upon her.
With the game scheduled for July 16, what are your expectations? Do let us know in the comments.