The New York Liberty recorded another impressive win on Friday, beating the Minnesota Lynx 99-86 at home, but Betnijah Laney-Hamilton’s DNP (did not play) was one of the key talking points. Hamilton returned this year after missing the 2025 WNBA season due to an acute meniscus tear, which needed surgery. She suffered the injury during the inaugural season of Unrivaled.
Hamilton was a key piece of the Liberty’s 2024 championship team. New York didn’t hesitate to sign her for the 2026 season as she worked her way back from the surgical repair, hoping she would play a key role. However, not everything has gone according to plan for Hamilton, who has lost her starting spot. After starting five times in her 14 games this season, the veteran guard has racked up DNPs under new coach Chris DeMarco.
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Hamilton has been healthy, too. It’s one of the reasons the talks related to her DNPs were prevalent. On Friday, the Liberty played four players off the bench, with only Marine Johannes logging over 10 minutes. She was also the only player to score from the second unit, tallying five points.
The Liberty won regardless after Breanna Stewart’s exceptional 36-point night, and all starters scored in double-digits. However, the lack of bench production left fans wondering about Betnijah Laney-Hamilton’s rotation snub as she picked up her second consecutive DNP and third overall.
One fan wondered if she was on the trade block:
A Las Vegas Aces fan wanted the Liberty to trade her to the Western Conference franchise:
“Free her! Let the Aces get her”
More such reactions followed.
Liberty coach Chris DeMarco addresses Betnijah Laney-Hamilton’s DNPs
Liberty coach Chris DeMarco addressed Betnijah Laney-Hamilton’s DNP on Friday. DeMarco didn’t share much, but said the coaching staff was confident about Hamilton. He added that she would get her opportunity again, but for now, with a shortened rotation, the first-year Liberty coach didn’t plan to use the veteran.
“We obviously didn’t play a lot of players tonight. I still have confidence in her, our staff and players have confidence in her. She’s going to get her opportunity again, we believe in her. I just didn’t go to her tonight, but we know what she can do, and we’ll get there.”
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton’s return to the court hasn’t been as productive. She’s averaging 5.3 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists, shooting 37.3% from the field and 26.5% from three-point range. Hamilton’s numbers this season have been the lowest since 2020. She started all but three games in her past five seasons, averaging over 30 minutes, averaging at least 11 ppg each season and shooting roughly 45% from the field.
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