Liberty make WNBA history without Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
No Sabrina Ionescu. No Satou Sabally.
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Truly no problem for the New York Liberty, who are 3-1 and on pace to become the most lethal offense in the 30-year history of the WNBA.
MORE: Liberty’s Marine Johannes requires WNBA fans to watch basketball differently
After defeating the Portland Fire by a 100-82 score on Thursday, the Liberty became the first team in WNBA history to average 100 points across the first four games of a season.
To date, the Liberty have an eye-popping 120.4 offensive rating. That’s nearly seven points better than the Indiana Fever, who have the WNBA’s second-most efficient offense in the early going.
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New York’s plus-15.6 net rating — the difference between a team’s offensive and defensive ratings — also is tops in the WNBA after a week’s worth of games.
What’s even more impressive about New York’s hot start is that first-year head coach Chris DeMarco is yet to enjoy his full complement of players.
Ionescu is recovering from a foot injury, while star free agent signing Sabally is recovering from a cyst that has rendered her unable to play so far.
Two-time MVP Breanna Stewart (23.0 points per game), prized rookie Pauline Astier (16.8 points) and veteran sharpshooter Marine Johannes (15.8 points) have provided the Liberty with a bevy of scoring while DeMarco awaits the return of two more All-Stars.
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Oh, and Jonquel Jones — the Liberty’s other former MVP — is averaging 11.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.5 stocks per game. How’s that for a fourth option?
It’s good to be the Liberty right now.
