The story of the 2023 WNBA season became super-teams after Executive of the Year Jonathan Kolb built a New York Liberty roster featuring two free-agent signings and a blockbuster trade.
Executive of the Year Jonathan KolbThe Liberty stormed through the regular season to a No. 2 playoff seed and into the semifinals for the franchise’s first time since 2015. But in Game 1 on Sunday, it was two offseason additions on the other side, including one who came via that blockbuster trade, who determined Game 1 of the best-of-five series.
Allen hit two of her first three 3-pointers and led the Sun to a 25-21 first-quarter lead with eight points and two steals. She finished with 18 points shooting 77.8% overall and 4-of-6 from 3-point range, plus seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks. In the trade that brought in Allen, Connecticut also received the Liberty’s No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 draft. The Sun sent it to Atlanta in a separate transaction for Hayes.
The Sun needed a complete team effort and solid game plan to take away all of the Liberty’s threats, particularly on the boards and beyond the arc. They won the rebounding battle, 35-30, behind seven boards each from four of five starters. New York hit eight 3-pointers, below its league-leading average of 11.1 per game, and shot 33.8% overall and 29.6% from 3.
After the Liberty acquired Jones, they opened free agency by signing Stewart, a two-time WNBA champion and former MVP. The superstar was the most sought-after free agent in the offseason and immediately made them title contenders. WNBA champion point guard Courtney Vandersloot announced she’d sign shortly afterward.
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