With two-time MVP Breanna Stewart sidelined due to a bone bruise, the New York Liberty are without one of its key players for the foreseeable future. Fortunately for head coach Sandy Brondello though, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones are healthy, two core players to steer New York through a challenging stretch of games.
The Liberty enters Friday's slate of games on a rare three-game losing streak. Stewart has missed the past two games entirely and played only three minutes of Saturday's home loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. Still, New York's 17-9 record is the second-best mark in the WNBA, and the Liberty is a healthy 11.5-point favorite to defeat the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena on Friday night.
MORE: Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve bashes Emma Meesseman's decision to sign with Liberty
Further, the Liberty is getting closer to signing Emma Meesseman, the Belgian forward who is arguably the most accomplished player not in the WNBA at present. Meesseman, the 2019 WNBA Finals MVP and a six-time EuroLeague champion, has obtained her visa and joined the Liberty in Connecticut -- though it is uncertain whether she will play against the Sun.
But in order to clear a roster spot for Meesseman, Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb has had to release second-year guard Jaylyn Sherrod, who won a WNBA championship with New York last year.
An undrafted free agent out of Colorado, Sherrod's two-year tenure with the Liberty ends after 30 total appearances between the regular season and the playoffs. In 18 games in 2025, Sherrod averaged 1.2 points in 5.8 minutes -- but a statement from Kolb made it clear that the tenacious guard's presence in the locker room will be missed, even if it facilitates Meesseman's arrival.
“Jaylyn, you’ve left New York better than you found it, and your mark here is everlasting," Kolb said. "Once a Liberty, always a Liberty. Go be great, Champ!”
MORE WNBA NEWS:
Fever coach Stephanie White can't believe free agent star's Liberty decision
Liberty's Sabrina Ionescu reveals level of concern after Finals rematch loss
Mercury's Alyssa Thomas ties Candace Parker mark despite Fever loss
Wings' Paige Bueckers reveals what she loves most about historic recent displays
Fever's Sophie Cunningham predicts new venture will get her canceled