Liberty Reserve Sparks Comeback Over Storm

Burke had been quiet in the first half with a minus-4 in the plus-minus column. Last season, that might’ve meant the end of her night. Last year, inconsistent minutes made it difficult for her to find a rhythm. But in Sandy Brondello’s rotation this year, Burke has earned the trust and freedom to play through those early struggles. That trust paid off in Seattle.

Fiebich went on to praise Burke's play.

“You know, when she gets downhill and when she gets speed, it’s really hard to stop her," she said. "I know she, like, fumbled the ball a bit in the first half, and it was a bit unlucky, and then she just, you know, was a little bit stronger in the second half with it, and she hit some really important shots for us, and also on defense.”

Burke opened the final quarter with a go-ahead basket and later forced a turnover on Storm guard, Tiffany Mitchell with 8:41 remaining, helping New York seize control for good. Seattle never regained the lead after Burke’s defensive stop. She finished with a season-best plus-minus of +17, the highest mark of any player in the game.

On a Liberty bench bolstered by big-name additions like Emma Meesseman and return of Marine Johannès, Burke’s role could easily be overlooked. But she remains one of only two bench players from last year’s Finals team. That continuity matters. She knows the system, understands what’s needed, and has become a steadying presence for a bench unit that will be vital in New York’s pursuit of a back-to-back title run.

The Liberty, who avoided a season sweep by Seattle, return home to face the Washington Mystics on Tuesday.