Liberty Players Take on New Challenge

The test measured grip strength, and the results ranged from modest to eye-popping, with forward Kennedy Burke emerging as the runaway winner. Burke blew away her teammates and the meter with a staggering score of 115.4, celebrating with a dance and flex. 

The rest of the Liberty lineup put up competitive numbers, but the reactions alongthe way revealed as much about the roster as the numbers did. Jonquel Jones, usually a dominant interior force opened the contest but managed just 60.2 after admitting she had just applied lotion, which compromised her grip. Izzy Harrison followed with 63 before quickly walking away, while Belgian center Emma Meesseman scored 67.7 and joked, “this is for small hands, not for big hands.”

Stephanie Talbot narrowly edged Meesseman at 68, and guard Natasha Cloud hit 75.6 while flexing and declaring, “just know these hands strong,” echoing the caption used by the Liberty. Sabrina Ionescu, known for her competitiveness, silently locked in and posted a 77.6 before moving on. Nyara Sabally registered 81.2 with almost no visible effort, deadpanning, “I didn’t even try.” Marine Johannes surprised herself with an 86.2, muttering, “really?” after the score flashed on screen.

Breanna Stewart, the two-time WNBA MVP, needed three tries to find her peak. After scoring 70.6 with her right hand, she improved to 85.6 with her left. On her third attempt, Stewart returned to her dominant right hand and recorded 90.6, smiling and saying, “That’s me. That’s better.”

The contest served as both entertainment and a reminder of the personalities behind a roster that lifted its first championship just a season ago. Cloud may not have won but showed why she is the team's vocal spark with her confident and always ready attitude. While Jones remains the team’s enforcer in the paint and Stewart its most decorated scorer, Burke’s record-setting performance gave her a new claim to fame: strongest hands on the team.

And with BICEPtember coming to a close, the Liberty’s showcase of arm strength arrived right on time -even if their shot at another title will have to wait until next year.