NEW YORK — The Liberty are about to endure one of the toughest stretches of the season, just as the team’s most glaring shortcoming is growing into a real problem.
The Libs’ thin frontcourt was on full display in the July 12 victory over the Indiana Fever, and even more evident in Wednesday’s loss to the Dallas Wings. The absence of bigs Stefanie Dolson and Han Xu creates a thin frontline for the Liberty, who require Jonquel Jones and Nyara Sabally to shoulder the entire load for 40 minutes.
The domino effect of that is now teams are game planning to attack the paint and force Liberty bigs into foul trouble, which strips Sandy Brondello’s squad of the needed aggressiveness from forwards to win the battle down low.
Dolson, who missed her eighth consecutive game Wednesday due to a right ankle injury, is the undeniable boost off the bench for Brondello when the team is in need of defense and veteran leadership on the court.
“She’s an experienced player and gets what we’re trying to do and has played against these big players,” the head coach said after Wednesday’s loss. “It would add more depth. Of course we miss her, but she’s not gonna be here for a few more weeks and she’s doing the best to get back healthy.”
Poor roster construction isn’t to blame for the issue, but Han Xu being overseas while Dolson rehabs is a tough break for the Libs.
Not having a reliable, sturdy frontcourt at this juncture of the season could dampen a strong 14-5 start. The team, who entered Thursday with the league’s second-best record, is about to go on a stretch of eight games in 15 days and won’t have two consecutive days off until August 2-3. The stretch includes back-to-back games against the surging Atlanta Dream and Minnesota Lynx, which are two teams that feature All-Star forwards.
In those 15 days, the Liberty forwards will have to deal with Indiana’s Aliyah Boston, Seattle’s Ezi Magbegor, Atlanta’s Cheyenne Parker, Minnesota’s MVP candidate Napheesa Collier (twice) and Los Angeles’ Nneka Ogwumike (twice).
It’s a tall order for Jones and the young Sabally, who is tasked with a bigger role in her first season of WNBA action after missing all of last season with a right knee injury. Sabally fouled out in just 10 minutes of action without recording a point in the loss against the Wings. She had her hands full with Dallas center Teaira McCowan and former Liberty forward Natasha Howard.
They gave Jones fits, too. The former MVP picked up three personal fouls (one offensive) before halftime and allowed made field goals in the paint. McCowan nearly reached her season averages by halftime, ultimately finishing with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Howard contributed 14 points on 7-of-12 shooting.
Dallas took care of the ball, scored 50 points in the paint and won the battle of second chance points, 19-3.
“They did a good job keeping their composure,” Breanna Stewart said postgame. “[Committing just] two turnovers is pretty incredible. But that shows we weren’t the aggressors on defense and we need to be better”
Boston, Indiana’s Rookie of the Year frontrunner, contributed to Sabally and Jones picking up two fouls before the first quarter ended in the matchup right before the All-Star break. Boston took advantage of the Liberty’s thin frontcourt during that matinee matchup and almost willed her rebuilding squad to a stunning overtime victory.
The Liberty were able to escape, mainly due to Sabrina Ionescu’s heroics and Indiana’s NaLyssa Smith missing the game due to injury.
Brondello will have to game plan against Boston — and the rest of the league’s star forwards — without any incoming assistance. Dolson isn’t expected to return until sometime in August, per the head coach.
“I don’t think it’ll be in July,” the coach said about the veteran’s return. “I think she’s making good progress, but she did a good job on that ankle, when she hurt it in Atlanta. ... I’m anticipating early August.”
The coach added that Dolson is currently running in straight lines in her rehab process. Han Xu headed back to China to rehab a foot injury and undergo drug tests prior to international competition games that will take place from July 28 to Aug. 8, according to Winsidr. She’s expected back in mid-August.
And what about the Liberty bringing in a player using a hardship contract to assist the thin frontcourt?
“There’s no thought to bringing anyone else in,” the head coach said about a potential deal. “We just got to weather the storm right now.”
The Liberty were able to weather the storm against Indiana and the stretch of games they were without Dolson and Han Xu while the 6-10 big was representing China in the Asia Cup. The duo have been simultaneously unavailable for the team since June 25.
New York has gone 6-2 during that stretch, playing in eight games in the span of 25 days while being aided by the All-Star break. But the challenge now is can the thin frontcourt be sustainable against the league’s stars on much shorter rest.
