Liberty celebrate championship with opening win

They walked out on the court one by one to slip on their shiny, XL-size championship rings. The seafoam banner emblazoned with “WNBA CHAMPIONS” then headed on a flight toward the rafters as the music played and the fan appreciation poured inside Barclays Center.

And then the ball rose and dropped on a new year of Liberty basketball.

The Liberty found themselves at another intersection besides Atlantic and Flatbush on Saturday — one last celebration of their first championship from 2024 and the launch of their 2025 run at a possible repeat.

“A year from now, hopefully we’re doing it again,” coach Sandy Brondello said before the ceremony.

They know it won’t be so easy to make another ceremony necessary. It indeed wasn’t easy in this opener against Las Vegas in front of a loud sellout crowd of 17,344. A 17-point lead late in the second quarter dissolved to two in the fourth.

But a player who wasn’t here last year stepped forward. Natasha Cloud countered with back-to-back three-point plays, and the Liberty went on to claim a 92-78 victory.

“They did a really great job of winning last year, first ever,” the 33-year-old point guard said. “But like coach Sandy said, it’s going to be one of many that we try to go after. And that’s the goal for this season. So you refocus, and we shifted focus into now and where your feet are today.”

Breanna Stewart led the Liberty with 25 points. But Cloud, who was acquired from Connecticut for two first-round picks, couldn’t have made a more impactful debut — 22 points, nine assists, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks.

“Everywhere she goes, she’s like a tornado,” Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon said. “She stirs things up. I love her game. Her energy is infectious. She reminds me a little bit of [former Liberty great Teresa Weatherspoon], her tenacity on defense and her competitive spirit.”

Cloud has to make everyone wonder if the Liberty could be even better than last year with her in the mix.

“I’m excited about this team that we have here,” Brondello said. “Yes, our goal is to win another championship, but it’s a long way to go .  .  . Getting Tash just adds.”

After the Aces knocked them out in the Finals to repeat in 2023, the Liberty accomplished the hard tasks last season. They knocked out Vegas in the semis, eliminating them in four. Then they survived in five against Minnesota, working overtime to take the title.

The banner will serve as a permanent reminder.

“It just creates a standard for anybody that comes into Barclays, whether it’s us playing or the Nets,” Stewart said. “A championship mindset or mentality for everybody among this franchise.”

Everyone who had a hand in it will always be able to stare at their ring. They won’t be able to help it.

“The ring was huge,” Sabrina Ionescu said. “I knew it was going to be big because we play for the New York Liberty.”

A’ja Wilson, amid a massive 31-point, 16-rebound effort, converted a three-point play to cut the Liberty’s lead to 66-64 with 6:56 left.

Then Cloud drove for a layup, was fouled and made the free throw. Then she drove again for two, was fouled and received a standing ovation before making the free throw — 72-64.

Welcome to Brooklyn.

“It’s electrifying,” Cloud said. “I always understood as an opponent that the crowd here and the fans, it’s a sixth man on the court at all times.”

Jonquel Jones, who had 17 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, sent a pass to Stewart, and she made it a 10-point game with a layup.

When Dana Evans nailed a three, the difference was down to 76-70. But Cloud responded with a three, and after a timeout, she made a steal and fed Stewart for a layup and an 81-70 lead with 3:24 to go.

“The defense,” Cloud said, “that’s my bread and butter.”

The Liberty had constructed a 47-30 advantage, then took their foot off the pedal in the third.

They carried a 63-58 lead into the fourth. But they held on.

Chapter 1 of 2025 contained a great ending for them. The page from 2024 was turned.