New York Liberty’s Red-Hot Streak: Breanna Stewart & Sabrina Ionescu Power NYC’s Team Toward 2025 WNBA Title

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The New York Liberty roared into the All-Star break with a statement 98-77 home victory over the Indiana Fever on Wednesday night, strengthening their grip on the WNBA’s top seed and extending their league-best winning streak to six games. Superstar forward Breanna Stewart paced New York with 24 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, thriving in transition and punishing mismatches in the half-court. The two-time MVP has now recorded four consecutive double-doubles and is averaging 21.5 points during the streak, reinforcing her candidacy for a third Maurice Podoloff Trophy. Sabrina Ionescu supplied 18 points and eight assists one day after being named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played July 3-13, an honor earned on the strength of 19.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game during that span. The dynamic backcourt leader connected on four triples against Indiana, pushing her season three-point percentage to 41.2 percent — top five among WNBA guards with at least 100 attempts. DEFENSIVE TURNING POINT Head coach Sandy Brondello’s club clamped down after a slow first quarter, holding the Fever to 34 percent shooting over the final 30 minutes. Natasha Cloud spearheaded the effort, shadowing Kelsey Mitchell and generating three steals that ignited Liberty fast breaks. Cloud’s impact showed up in the plus-minus column as New York outscored Indiana by 24 during her 29 minutes on the floor. Caitlin Clark’s absence (groin soreness) limited Indiana’s play-making options, but Brondello credited her team’s discipline in switching coverages and protecting the paint. The Liberty blocked six shots and limited Aliyah Boston to just nine field-goal attempts. WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE STANDINGS New York heads into the midseason recess at 15-6, two games clear of the Minnesota Lynx for the league’s best record. Securing the No. 1 overall seed would give the Liberty home-court advantage throughout the playoffs — a pivotal edge at Barclays Center, where they are now 9-1. STAR-STUDDED WEEKEND AHEAD Five Liberty players will travel to Indianapolis for the 2025 WNBA All-Star festivities. Stewart and Ionescu will start for Team USA, while Jonquel Jones, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton and Cloud suit up for Team WNBA. Ionescu will also defend her title in Friday’s STARRY® 3-Point Contest, and Cloud makes her debut in the Kia Skills Challenge. UP NEXT After the showcase, the Liberty return to action on July 23 against the Chicago Sky. The matchup begins a crucial five-game homestand that includes clashes with the defending-champion Las Vegas Aces and the surging Lynx — contests that could ultimately decide playoff positioning. KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR FANS AND SEARCHERS • New York Liberty win sixth straight; lead WNBA standings • Breanna Stewart posts 24-11-7; Sabrina Ionescu continues hot shooting • Ionescu named Eastern Conference Player of the Week • Five Liberty stars highlighted in 2025 All-Star weekend events • Upcoming Barclays Center homestand features heavyweight showdowns With momentum, star power and Barclays Center buzzing, the Liberty look poised to chase the franchise’s first championship banner — a storyline sure to dominate the WNBA’s second half.