Photo by Pamela Costello/Getty Images
Well, f***.
On Monday afternoon, the New York Liberty announced Betnijah Laney-Hamilton underwent surgery to repair an acute meniscus injury in her left knee, and is in danger of missing the whole 2025 season…
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The WNBA playoffs beginning on September 14, smack-dab in the middle of Laney-Hamiltons 5-6 month recovery timeline. The absolute best-case scenario is that she returns for a couple of ramp-up games at the end of the regular season before New York’s title defense begins in earnest; the more likely scenario is that Laney-Hamilton is done for the season. After all, there is much “basketball activity” to be done before suiting up for a real game is possible.
As a relief player, Laney-Hamilton appeared in Unrivaled, the winter league brainchild of Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, for two games this February. After her second appearance, it was reported that she had suffered a left knee injury, and that the New York Liberty would eventually provide an update. Well, here’s the update.
Laney-Hamilton is no stranger to knee injuries. She missed nearly two of her first three WNBA seasons with a torn left ACL. In 2022, she underwent surgery on her right knee to address meniscus cartilage.
Then, last July, she underwent “clean-up” surgery in her right knee before returning to the lineup in late August; she started all 11 games of New York’s successful playoff run, including a 20-point outing in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals…
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All the while, Laney-Hamilton was clearly not 100%. She admitted as such to reporters during a title run that culminated in a Game 5 finish for the ages, securing the 30-year-old forward’s very special place in franchise history.
Now looking to go back-to-back, New York may have to do it without her. Leonie Fiebich, coming off an WNBA All-Rookie season after years of experience in Europe, will certainly be placed in the starting lineup alongside Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and newcomer Natasha Cloud.
Beyond that, Kennedy Burke will see more minutes. Maybe there’s a sophomore leap (and real burn) for 2024 first-round pick Marquesha Davis. Veteran wing Rebekah Gardner is also going to get a chance to contribute. After tearing her achilles prior to last season, the Liberty acquired her in a trade from the Chicago Sky, knowing she wouldn’t play until 2025.
Will the New York Liberty survive Betnijah Laney-Hamilton’s injury? Broadly, yes. Their starting five is elite at worst, and historically elite at best. The bench is not barren.
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But their depth has taken a real hit, not to mention the loss of a hard-nosed fan-favorite who was a New Yorker before the Great Offseason of 2023…
Here’s hoping to the smoothest recovery possible.
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