New York Liberty Need This Star to Excel Tonight vs. Wings

The New York Liberty face a familiar opponent in tonight’s matchup against the Dallas Wings. Earlier this season, the Liberty suffered a surprising 92–82 loss to a Wings team that had just seven wins, though the final score masked a game that felt far more lopsided.

Let’s be clear: that game came without Breanna Stewart, who was sidelined after suffering a bone bruise in her knee against the Los Angeles Sparks. And while Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu combined for 35 points, they shot just 11-for-29 from the field in a game where New York lost its grip early and never quite recovered.

But this time, things feel different.

The Liberty bounced back with a win over the Connecticut Sun on Sunday afternoon—thanks in large part to the debut of their newest addition, Emma Meesseman. The former WNBA and multi-time EuroLeague champion made her long-awaited return to the league, tallying 11 points, three assists, and a block in just 17 minutes of action.

There were questions about how Meesseman would perform after being away from the WNBA since 2022. But her impact—though limited in minutes—was immediately noticeable. She consistently found open teammates in Jones and Ionescu, attacked the paint with confidence, and knocked down all five of her free throws.

Her size and versatility give New York the rare luxury of functioning without Stewart on the floor. And in her first outing, Meesseman looked more like a missing puzzle piece than a temporary stand-in. Starting her at center while shifting Jones to the four created a dynamic two-big operation that helped keep the Liberty ahead throughout the second half.

Now, Meesseman turns her focus to a new challenge: a guard-heavy Dallas squad that rolled out an aggressive lineup against the Indiana Fever. The Liberty’s defense will again be tested by Arike Ogunbowale and Paige Bueckers, who combined for 40 points in their previous win over New York. Bueckers, in particular, has been red-hot—recording her third straight 20-point game and fifth consecutive outing in double figures.

Sabrina Ionescu, fresh off a season-high 36 points and 11 rebounds, should again be at the center of the Liberty’s offensive game plan. If New York plays its cards right, they’ll get Ionescu going from deep and feed Meesseman inside, giving Dallas more problems than they can solve.

Will history repeat itself, or will the Liberty flip the script with their newest star in the lineup?