Liberty drop first preseason game against Connecticut Sun, 63-57
The Liberty kicked off the preseason with a 63-57 loss to the Connecticut Sun. Sika Kone led the way for the Liberty with a team-high 10 points to go along with four rebounds off the bench.
“We learned a lot on both ends of the floor,” Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello told reporters postgame. “I didn’t think [we’re] anywhere where we needed to be until that fourth quarter — we got some energy. I don’t even care that we’re missing players, that doesn’t matter to me but it’s more the little things. The one percent where we just got to be a little smarter with the players that we have.
“We got a lot to work on, it was a great game. Great first game for us.”
Kone, the team’s 29th overall selection in the 2022 WNBA Draft, provided the energy Brondello mentioned by scoring all her points in the final quarter, with eight of her 10 points coming from the free throw line.
The head coach noted the Sun’s physicality and toughness, which limited the Liberty to just three points in the second quarter. She added postgame that her team “didn’t move the ball” and weren’t “selfless” against Connecticut, resulting in a loss.
“I tell them as it is. In the locker room I just told them ‘that’s it, you can’t play like that especially against these teams,’” Brondello said.
Improved ball movement and selflessness will show as training camp progresses and Brondello features her full roster on the court.
Former MVPs Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart didn’t play against the Sun on Wednesday, missing the game due to rest. They both sat on the bench in street clothes.
Courtney Vandersloot is reconditioning after being placed in concussion protocols. Guard Marine Johannes is still not with the team and is expected to return once the French League postseason concludes in the summer.
The Liberty anticipate the team’s top players to return to action when they visit the Las Vegas Aces for the second and final preseason game on Saturday.
The 6-11 Han Xu, who came off the bench, added eight points and four rebounds in 17 minutes on Wednesday. Star Sabrina Ionescu shot 2-for-9, scoring six points and grabbing seven rebounds in 22 minutes.
Forward Brionna Jones led the way for the Sun with 10 points. Forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa and guard Rebecca Allen both added nine points apiece for Connecticut.
