The New York Liberty are set to face the Seattle Storm on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 10:00 p.m. ET, looking to extend their momentum after a strong season start.
Why it matters: This matchup is particularly important for both teams as the Liberty aim to solidify their position in the standings, and the Storm seek to end a lengthy losing streak.
The Liberty currently hold a record of 12-6, having recently won the Commissioner’s Cup.
Seattle struggles with a dismal record of 3-15, having lost ten straight games.
Dominique Malonga of the Storm has been a standout player, scoring 37 points in a recent game against the Dallas Wings.
Driving the news: The Liberty are riding high after their best win of the season against the reigning WNBA champions, the Las Vegas Aces. This victory comes on the heels of a successful run in the Commissioner’s Cup.
In their last outing, New York defeated Las Vegas, marking a turning point in their season.
Breanna Stewart, who led the Liberty with 20 points in the cup final, is resting for this game.
Seattle's recent overtime loss to the Dallas Wings pushed their losing streak to ten games.
State of play: Both teams will be missing key players due to injuries, which could significantly impact their performance.
For the Liberty, Satou Sabally is out due to concussion protocol, and Breanna Stewart is resting.
The Storm will be without Jordan Horston and Ezi Magbegor, both sidelined with foot injuries.
This lack of depth will challenge both teams as they look to fill gaps in their lineups.
The big picture: The Liberty are looking to capitalize on their current form, whereas the Storm are desperate to find a way to break their losing streak.
New York has shown resilience, bouncing back from losses earlier in the season to become a competitive force.
Seattle, conversely, has struggled to maintain momentum, with many of their losses coming by double digits.
The upcoming game marks a chance for both teams to shift the narrative of their seasons.
What they're saying: Players and coaches from both teams have shared insights leading up to the game.
"We need to keep the pressure on and take advantage of our opportunities," said Liberty head coach Chris DeMarco.
Malonga expressed confidence in her team's ability to turn things around, stating, "We just have to focus on one game at a time."
Liberty's Sabrina Ionescu has also emphasized the importance of stepping up in Stewart's absence, saying, "We need to play as a team and support each other on both ends of the court."
By the numbers: Statistical comparisons highlight the challenges each team faces heading into the game.
The Liberty average 88.9 points per game, slightly higher than the Storm's 78.8 points.
Seattle allows an average of 85.9 points, indicating defensive vulnerabilities that New York may exploit.
Jonquel Jones of the Liberty averages 14.2 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, making her a key player to watch.
What's next: As the season progresses, both teams will look to adjust their strategies based on player availability and performance.
The Liberty will continue their road trip, facing more challenging opponents in the coming weeks.
Seattle must regroup quickly to build momentum and avoid extending their losing streak.
Fans can catch the game on WWOR, CW Seattle, and streaming on Amazon Prime Video.