It is a stunning development for the reigning champions: the New York Liberty, winners of the 2024 WNBA title and this season’s Commissioner’s Cup, currently sit on the playoff bubble. At 14-12, New York holds just a half-game lead for the eighth and final postseason spot, having dropped eight of its last 11 contests heading into Wednesday night’s home matchup with the Chicago Sky.
The roster boasts immense talent, including former league MVPs Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones alongside multiple-time All-Stars Sabrina Ionescu and Satou Sabally. However, injuries have decimated the rotation. Ionescu has missed 12 games, while Sabally has been sidelined since June 23 due to concussion protocols. Key starter Leonie Fiebich has not played since July 3 because of a foot injury, and guard Marine Johannes is listed as questionable for Wednesday with an ankle issue.
Amid the absences, opportunity has arrived for rookie Marine Fauthoux. In Monday’s 99-98 overtime victory at Dallas, the seldom-used guard delivered a breakout performance, posting 10 points and 10 rebounds for the first double-double of her five-game career. A 2021 third-round pick from France, the 25-year-old signed a developmental contract this season and waited patiently for her chance.
“It was hard to watch other people play,” Fauthoux told the New York Post. “But I was sure my time would come.”
Chicago (9-17) occupies 12th place in the standings and has struggled away from home at 4-10, going just 1-8 against Eastern Conference opponents. The teams met once previously this season, a 96-95 Liberty win in Chicago on June 17 sealed by a left-handed Ionescu layup with 10 seconds remaining. At that point, New York was riding an eight-game winning streak and fielded a far healthier lineup featuring Sabally, Fiebich, and Johannes.
The Sky may sense an opening against a shorthand opponent, though they carry their own injury concerns. Seven-time All-Star Skylar Diggins, who scored 19 points in the earlier meeting, has been out since July 3 with a knee injury.
Former Liberty point guard Natasha Cloud leads Chicago’s backcourt, averaging 9.8 points and 4.5 assists while facing her old team for the first time this year. Center Kamilla Cardoso presents a significant interior challenge at 6-foot-7, leading the Sky with 14.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Rookie guards Sydney Taylor (13.5 ppg) and Gabriela Jaquez (8.5 ppg) provide additional perimeter scoring threats.
“I’m always confident in my shooting,” Taylor said recently, “and that’s regardless if I go 8-for-8 or 0-for-8.”
