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Well, until it’s time to play the third quarter. Aside from that, however, the title speaks for itself.
The New York Liberty are 8-0 and have crushed every single opponent that’s stood before them. Their average winning margin is 19 points. They’re scoring the most points per game in the league while allowing the least.
Additionally, they are shooting the lights out. No one has come close to or looks to be able to stop them.
What’s made this New York Liberty machine so destructive, and can anyone stop it?
Natasha Cloud: Signing of the Offseason
If the signing of the offseason was a winnable award, it’s already been decided within the first two weeks.
Natasha Cloud was blindsided by the Phoenix Mercury this offseason when she was shipped to Connecticut in a massive four-team deal. She was told she was going to “retire as a Phoenix Mercury“, but evidently that commitment was one-sided. Furthermore, the Sun didn’t want her, either— they were focused on a rebuild as they were cut thin by the trade.
Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally, Natasha Cloud and DiJonai Carrington headline HUGE 4-team trade between the Connecticut Sun, Dallas Wings, Phoenix Mercury and Indiana Fever
pic.twitter.com/CwTsIn4KMr
— WNBA (@WNBA) February 2, 2025
So, they shipped her off to New York for the seventh pick and a 2026 first-rounder.
From day one, Cloud has justified the move tenfold. She is fourth in the league in assists per game and first in box plus-minus. In her Liberty debut against the Aces, she scored 22 points and dished out nine dimes. She added five stocks (blocks + steals) and energized the Barclays Center time and time again.
OH MY NATASHA CLOUD
Not one, but TWO back-to-back AND-1s to keep the @nyliberty ahead in the 4th!
WNBA Tip-Off presented by CarMax pic.twitter.com/7rv8RUnhax
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 17, 2025
Cloud’s ability to see the floor, make the right read and shut down the backcourt on the other end has kicked the Liberty into eighth gear with no signs of slowing down.
The Rise of Kennedy Burke
The centerpieces of the Liberty have done what they always do to start the year. Breanna Stewart leads the team in scoring, Sabrina Ionescu has 20-point games in three of her last four contests, and Jonquel Jones is averaging a double-double while shooting 43% from three. However, in the longest season in WNBA history, the depth of a team’s bench is more important than ever.
Enter Kennedy Burke.
Burke’s sixth year in the W is tracking to be her best yet. She’s averaging career highs in literally everything. Points, rebounds, FG%, 3PT%, stocks — you name it — Burke is setting career marks. In the Liberty’s second game against the Chicago Sky, she scored 17 points and was a perfect 4/4 from beyond the arc. She even hit a very historic three that night— more on that later.
Her astronomical leap in form strengthens the Liberty bench, allowing the starters to be at their best all the time. If Burke’s production continues at this pace, she could very well win 6WOTY.
There’s Nothing This Team Can’t Do
The Liberty are currently on top of all of these categories:
- Points per game (91.1)
- PPG Allowed (72.1)
- Field-goal percentage (47.8%)
- Effective field-goal percentage (57.3%)
- OPP eFG% (42.4%)
- TS% (62%)
- 3PT% (38.2%)
- 3PM (96)
- Offensive Rating (112.0)
- Defensive Rating (88.6)
- Total blocks (43)
- Assist-to-turnover ratio (1.67)
To recap, this team scores more than anyone, shoots better than anyone, AND defends better than anyone?!
It was mentioned earlier that Kennedy Burke hit a very historical three in the Liberty’s second game of the year— her final three of the evening was the 19th New York made that night. That set a new WNBA record that the Liberty then matched in their latest game against the Sun.
Acquisitions like Marine Johannes have bolstered the Liberty’s firepower, and it’s shown. Their offensive production is on track to make them the fourth-most proficient offense in league history, and the most proficient three-point shooting team ever.
The historic 19th triple of the game for the Liberty, courtesy of Kennedy Burke
A new WNBA record! pic.twitter.com/8M9lX6xKTQ
— New York Liberty Videos (@SNYLiberty) May 23, 2025
On the defensive side, they are the only team with a sub-90 defensive rating. They swat 5.4 shots away per game. Points in the paint come harder against the Liberty than any other team— a massive testament to the interior defense of Stewart and Jones, among others. The additions of Cloud and Rebekah Gardner have stifled guard play, as only one guard has gone for 20 points against the Liberty (Brittney Sykes).
Whew.
The only question to ask is, how long can the Liberty keep this up? There’s never been a perfect WNBA season, and surely someone has to beat this Liberty team….. right?
Right?!
More must-reads:
- Red-hot Fever are a threat even without Caitlin Clark
- Fever extend winning streak without Caitlin Clark
- The 'NBA playoff point-per-game leaders' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Significant concern emerges for Bengals, Joe Burrow
The Cincinnati Bengals defense has stepped up its game in training camp this summer, and it's giving the coaching staff some pause about Joe Burrow's protection. The Bengals were tied with the New York Giants, giving up the 11th most sacks in the league last year (48). Given Burrow's importance to the team and long injury history dating back to his time at LSU, Cincinnati needs to see improvement from the offensive line. Per Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic, the Bengals' depth on the offensive line is a concern at training camp. During one practice, backups Cody Ford and Devin Cochran were seen getting first-team reps while starting right tackle Amarius Mims was sidelined, dealing with a hand injury. But it's not just the backups that are a worry. Cincinnati is expected to give third-round rookie Dylan Fairchild the starting job at left guard. "On top of concern regarding rookie third-round pick Dylan Fairchild, currently the leader in the clubhouse to start at left guard, the cast of question marks lacking experience, floating behind the starting tackles, is startling," Dehner wrote. "If the Bengals had to play Cleveland this Sunday without Mims, they couldn’t tell you who would hold down the starting spot. "Meanwhile, the Bengals’ defensive line consistently produced disruptive reps, and they are a group lacking historically potent pass rushers in their own right...The Bengals just feel notably weak and inexperienced. When the rest of the offense is so stacked with talent, and the history of the performance in front of Burrow being what it is, that’s hard to look past right now." The Bengals decided to spend their money on pass catchers for Burrow. Given the results of the offense last season, it's easy to understand why Cincinnati wants Burrow to deliver the ball to exceptional athletes. The risk is that Burrow won't hold up behind an offensive line that is lacking investment. If injuries pile up during the regular season, it's a concern that will only increase.
Knee operation: Kirby Dach not yet back on his feet
Two years ago to the day, Canadiens fans were optimistic about Kirby Dach’s future in Montreal: the 6’4 forward had just collected 38 points in 58 games – in his first campaign in Quebec – and many wondered whether Dach had a better chance of establishing himself as a first NHL center than captain Nick Suzuki. The past 730 days have proven otherwise, but that’s not the point this morning. Since joining the Canadiens, Dach has earned a reputation as a fragile player. Virus, shoulder, upper body (concussion?), lower body, knee(ACL and MCL), knee again… Let’s just say that injuries haven’t spared Dach since he arrived in Montreal. In fact, injuries haven’t spared Dach since he started playing hockey. He has never played more than 70 games in a single season, and has only broken the 60-game barrier three times in nine junior or pro seasons. Last February, Dach underwent a second operation on his right knee in the space of 18 months. Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes may tell us that Kirby Dach is fine,but we still have our doubts. Especially whenyou consider that, with the Canadiens’ recent additions and departures, Kirby Dach is still the team’s second center on the organizational chart. content-ads]Last week, I wondered where Kirby was ? We’ve seen plenty of Habs players skating at the CN Complex this summer, but not Kirby Dach. And I had to work like a monk to catch a glimpse of him in a video filmed at Nick Suzuki’s wedding! Yesterday, I was told that Kirby Dach was spending the summer in Edmonton with Kaiden Guhle – Dach is from Saskatchewan and Guhle is from Alberta – and that Dach was still in rehab. I repeat: five months after his most recent knee operation and some 40 days before the start of practice camp, Kirby Dach is still not recovered and ready to play. Good informants spotted him in an Edmonton gym doing squats with loads that look like the ones I used to take when I went to Econofitness, not the ones an NHL player uses [content-ads]This explains it: when he came to Montreal for his captain’s wedding, Kirby Dach couldn’t – or wouldn’t – skate with his teammates in Brossard. It’s worth noting that Dach is also very quiet on social networks – his last post was in November 2024 – probably in an effort to be forgotten… to go unnoticed. Spending the summer in Alberta, rather than in Montreal (with his chums at Osheaga), makes sense, when you think about it…Let’s just say that the chances of Dach starting his season at the same time as everyone else in two months’ time are pretty slim, which is cause for concern for those hoping to see the Canadiens in the playoffs in 2026. Yes, the Kirby Dach problem would be solved if a guy like Mason MacTavish-good offensively, defensively, physically and in the face-off circle-came to Montreal, but let’s just say that the odds of that happening this summer are very low. And you can’t make plans with very improbable things![spacer title=’Prolongation’]Matthew Tkachuk, who was injured last winter while throwing down the gloves at the 4 Nations tournament, underwent surgery last month (hernia and adductor). According to the latest information from Elliotte Friedman, Tkachuk could return to action just before the Olympic Games. Let’s hope Kirby Dach doesn’t have to wait as long as Tkachuk.
Three potential landing spots for disgruntled Bills RB James Cook
Superstar pass-rusher Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys aren't the only ones involved in a contract dispute. Buffalo Bills star running back James Cook is seeking a pay raise as he heads into the final year of his rookie contract. When asked Sunday why he wasn't practicing, Cook responded: "Business." ESPN insider Adam Schefter noted on Monday the hold-in by Cook, the 2022 second-round pick (63rd overall) who is unhappy with his contract situation. For now, Cook's future with the Bills is in question, so let's look at three teams that should be lighting up general manager Brandon Beane's phone in an attempt to pry him from Buffalo. Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles must continue to add weapons around second-year QB Caleb Williams. Per NFL.com, Chicago ranked 25th in the league in rushing yards (102 per game) and 29th in yards per carry (four) last season, which is not good enough to support a young QB. RB D'Andre Swift (253 carries, 959 yards rushing, 3.8 yards per carry) is a solid option but was inefficient last season in the workhorse role. Cook, who rushed for 1,009 yards last season (4.9 per carry), is an efficient runner who could balance this offense. Chicago has the draft capital and salary-cap space (roughly $13M, per Over The Cap) to get a deal done, particularly if it were to send Swift back the other way. Arizona Cardinals Their offense could reach new heights with a dynamic running back like Cook. James Conner, who rushed for a career-high 1,094 yards last season, has been a solid lead runner in Arizona over the past four years, but the 30-year-old could use help. Conner is a power back. Speedster Cook would bring a different style and create an explosive one-two punch with QB Kyler Murray. Per Over The Cap, Arizona has roughly $35M in cap space and all its own draft picks to get a deal done. It's a move it must consider to compete in the loaded NFC West. Minnesota Vikings What better way is there to aid rookie QB J.J. McCarthy than by trading for a high-end running back? Minnesota has perhaps the best receiving groups in the NFL, so improving the run game could make this offense unstoppable. Running back Aaron Jones will turn 31 on Dec. 2, so Cook — who will turn 26 on Sept. 25 — would be an upgrade. Free-agent RB Dalvin Cook, who has a similar running style to James, his brother, rushed for 1,173 yards with the Vikings in 2022. The Vikings have draft picks to make a solid offer, and while their cap space will get tight in 2026, they can find ways to wiggle their way around it. Perhaps Buffalo would be interested in Jones being a part of the deal to help its backfield in the short term.
Surprising Marlins earn MLB first in sweep of Yankees
The Miami Marlins achieved a franchise first on Sunday. In doing so, they carved out an interesting place in MLB history. With a 7-3 victory over the Yankees, the Marlins swept New York for the first time in a series of three or more games. In doing so, the Marlins became the only team to have a winning record, including the postseason, against the Yankees. The Yankees now have a 22-21 record against the Marlins in the regular season. However, the Marlins won the 2003 World Series against the Yankees in six games, giving the Fish a 25-24 record all-time. The Marlins' victory on Sunday meant more than a unique place in baseball history. That victory evened the Marlins' record at 55-55, the first time they have been at .500 or better since April 15 (8-8). The Marlins are 30-14 in their last 44 games, tying the 2003 championship team for the best stretch (last done from June 18-Aug. 9) in franchise history. The Marlins defied expectations at the trade deadline, holding on to pitchers Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera. Their only trade involved sending outfielder Jesus Sanchez to Houston, acquiring pitcher Ryan Gusto and a pair of prospects. Expectations were that the Marlins were simply waiting for the offseason to trade those pitchers, as there may be a larger market. Instead, the generally inexperienced Marlins roster is growing and improving by the day. They have clawed back from a 24-40 start to the season to pull themselves into the NL wild-card conversation. Although a lot would need to go right for the Marlins to reach the playoffs this season, they could be a dangerous team over the rest of the season and beyond. The Yankees found that out the hard way.
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