How the Liberty’s Championship Run Proved They’re a Superteam in the Making

The New York Liberty: From Contenders to Champions in 2024

by: D’Joumbarey A. Moreau

This season, the New York Liberty proved that they are the superteam to beat, and more importantly, they displayed that they are a dynasty in the making. Head coach Sandy Brondello has solidified her ability to guide a championship-caliber squad. With the Liberty capturing their first-ever WNBA title in 2024, after several near-misses in previous years, Brondello’s strategic adjustments played a pivotal role.

Here’s a breakdown of her key strategies and how they impacted the team’s performance, backed by playoff stats and the Liberty’s success.

1. A Star is Born: Elevating Leonie Fiebich to the Starting Lineup

Leonie Fiebich is a star in the making. This season, she averaged 6.7 points per game, but her numbers in the playoffs were outstanding. In the 2024 WNBA playoffs, Fiebich was one of only two players in league history—along with her teammate Jonquel Jones—to achieve 50/40/90 shooting splits.

Brondello’s decision to add Fiebich to the starting lineup unlocked new dimensions for the Liberty’s offense and defense. Known for her sharp shooting, Fiebich posted impressive playoff stats, including 46.9% shooting from the field and 46.2% from beyond the arc, along with an outstanding .624 true shooting percentage (TS%).

She led the entire playoffs in true shooting percentage, and she accomplished this as a rookie. Additionally, in the Finals, Fiebich’s offensive rebounding was crucial to New York’s success, as the team posted a 29.5% offensive rebounding rate.

The fact that she was in the lineup as a rookie was impressive. Fiebich’s ability to stretch the floor created more opportunities for Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones to operate inside. She ranked third overall in scoring during the Finals and had an incredible series, nearly doubling all of her regular-season totals.

This, combined with her solid defense, made her an invaluable asset to the team. By giving Fiebich more minutes, Brondello added a versatile piece to the puzzle that complemented the Liberty’s high-octane offense while improving team spacing.

2. Managing Courtney Vandersloot’s Minutes

Courtney Vandersloot, a beloved veteran in the league and adored as one of the Liberty’s key players, had mixed results in the postseason, especially with shooting efficiency.

In the 2024 playoffs, Sloot’s field goal percentage dipped to 46.2%, and she struggled with turnovers—a surprising issue for her—posting a 29.5% turnover rate. Despite this, her playmaking remained a valuable asset for the team, as she recorded an assist percentage of 25.8%. By managing her minutes, Brondello’s coaching strategy allowed Vandersloot to stay fresh for critical playoff moments.

Even though her minutes were reduced toward the end of the regular season, this preserved her energy for the postseason, where her timely assists and leadership were vital. This strategy allowed Vandersloot to be an effective playmaker off the bench without the pressure of carrying the offense, benefiting the team’s rhythm during crunch-time situations.

3. Incorporating Nyara Sabally’s Energy

In the 2024 WNBA Finals, Nyara Sabally was the spark Sandy Brondello needed off the bench, and boy, did she deliver! Sabally’s standout performances in crucial moments became a key part of the New York Liberty’s championship run, and Brondello’s decision to lean on her paid off in a big way.

In Game 5, with the game tied in overtime, Sabally rose to the occasion, dropping 13 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and shooting an impressive 71.4% from the field in just 17 minutes of play. Her ability to create second-chance opportunities was a game-changer, and her impact on both ends of the floor helped the Liberty capture their first-ever title. Sabally’s clutch performance helped seal the deal in what was a nail-biting finish

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Meanwhile in Game 2, Sabally continued to prove why Brondello’s trust in her was justified. Her strong all-around game, highlighted by timely rebounds and stifling defense, helped the Liberty control the boards and shut down the Lynx. Her ability to contribute to New York’s 29.5% offensive rebounding rate was key, and her defense in the paint made sure Minnesota couldn’t take advantage of easy looks. Brondello’s decision to increase Sabally’s minutes in these crucial matchups unlocked a new layer to the Liberty’s play and proved that the young star was ready for the biggest stage.

Sabally’s ability to rise to the occasion under Brondello’s guidance not only proved her potential but also demonstrated just how important she will be for the Liberty going forward. With her continued growth, there’s no doubt she’ll remain an essential piece of New York’s future success.

4. Trusting Sabrina Ionescu’s Leadership

Why It Matters:

Sabrina Ionescu didn’t have her best WNBA Finals, struggling with her shooting and often looking passive on the floor. Despite posting a disappointing 37.1% true shooting percentage (TS%) and a 35.2% effective field goal percentage (eFG%), she was still a crucial part of the New York Liberty’s playoff run.

Ionescu averaged 12.4 points, 5.4 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game, showing that she could contribute in other ways even when her shot wasn’t falling. More importantly, her 27.1% assist percentage highlighted her role as one of the team’s primary playmakers.

Brondello’s unwavering trust in Ionescu to set the tempo and lead the offense was essential throughout the postseason. Even during tough stretches, Ionescu kept the offense flowing and maintained her teammates’ confidence. Her leadership shone through, particularly in Game 5 of the Finals, where she played a key role in guiding the Liberty to victory. Despite her shooting struggles, Ionescu’s ability to stay composed and lead in high-pressure moments reinforced her value to the team and solidified her place as a driving force for New York.

5. Focusing the Offense Through Stewart and Jones

Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones are the Liberty’s two most dominant players. Both were named to the All-WNBA First and Second Teams, respectively. Stewart had an amazing Finals run, scoring 30 points in Game 3, including 13 straight points.

Stewart also led the team in rebounds during the playoffs, averaging 10.8 per game, along with 18.6 points and 2.4 steals per game. Although her efficiency was lower (TS% of .428), her defensive contributions—especially her 4.8% block percentage—were invaluable.

Meanwhile, Jones finally earned her championship ring. Like her teammate Leonie Fiebich, she was one of two players to shoot 50/40/90. She also walked away with the Finals MVP, and was a model of efficiency, shooting 68.1% TS% and 61.4% eFG%, while averaging 17.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.

Brondello’s decision to run the offense through Stewart and Jones was instrumental in the Liberty’s title run. These two players consistently drew defenders, opening up opportunities for teammates like Ionescu and Fiebich to capitalize on perimeter shots. By continuing to focus the offense around Stewart and Jones, the Liberty maintained offensive balance while exploiting matchups against tough teams like the Minnesota Lynx and Las Vegas Aces.

Closing Time:

The New York Liberty’s 2024 championship run highlighted Sandy Brondello’s strategic genius, taking them from perennial contenders to WNBA champions. Brondello’s decision to elevate players like Leonie Fiebich, manage Courtney Vandersloot’s minutes, and put her trust in Nyara Sabally during critical moments was key.

These moves helped form a team that was not only dynamic but could execute on both ends of the floor. While there’s still room to improve—especially in areas like turnovers and offensive efficiency—the foundation has been laid. With Brondello fine-tuning her strategies and a roster brimming with talent, the Liberty are poised to defend their title and solidify their place as a WNBA powerhouse for years to come.