The New York Liberty is on a winning streak as they head into the WNBA playoffs this Sunday. After their defeat in the finals last year, the team has come back stronger this season with the best record in the league. Fans, both new and old, have been flooding the Barclays Center in Brooklyn to support the team, leading to a 64% increase in ticket sales. The games have become a star-studded affair with celebrities like Fran Lebowitz and Jason Sudeikis being regular attendees, along with famous faces like Steph Curry, Jordan Chiles, Common, Chloe Fineman, and Amy Poehler sitting courtside. The addition of high-profile rookies like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese has brought a new level of excitement to the league, resulting in record-breaking viewership in 2024.
The Liberty will be facing the Atlanta Dream at Barclays on Sunday at 1 p.m. as they kick off their journey towards a WNBA championship, a title that has eluded them for the past 27 years. So, if you want to join the WNBA fandom and support the Liberty, here’s what you need to know.
The success of the Liberty can be attributed to the change in ownership in 2019 when Joseph Tsai and Clara Wu Tsai took over the team. The Tsai family made significant investments in the team, including moving them to the Barclays Center and building a top-notch training facility. In 2023, they made a game-changing move by signing three WNBA stars – Jonquel Jones, Courtney Vandersloot, and Breanna Stewart. This strategic decision paid off last season when the Liberty made it to the WNBA Finals, although they lost to the Las Vegas Aces.
In the first round of the playoffs, the Liberty will be facing the Atlanta Dream, a series that is expected to be in New York’s favor. The playoffs will follow a best-of-three format, with the Liberty having the home-court advantage for the first two games at Barclays Center.
While the Liberty is in a strong position, there are other teams in the league that could pose a challenge. Keep an eye on the Las Vegas Aces, led by A’ja Wilson, who is having a phenomenal season and is likely to be named league MVP. The Minnesota Lynx, although not in the spotlight like the Aces or Liberty, have quietly secured the No. 2 seed and are a team to watch out for.
The Indiana Fever, with the standout player Caitlin Clark, have had a remarkable turnaround this season. After a slow start, they picked up momentum post-Olympics and made it to the playoffs for the first time in almost a decade. With a dynamic trio of shooters in Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, and Aliyah Boston, the Fever could be a dark horse in the playoffs.
The Liberty’s move to Barclays Center has brought a new energy to the team, with their beloved mascot Ellie the Elephant becoming a fan favorite. The games have turned into must-attend events, complete with Ellie’s entertaining dance moves. This season, the Liberty has secured a TV rights deal with FOX5 and ESPN, making it easier for fans to catch the games either in person or on TV.
If you’re looking to support the Liberty in their playoff journey, now is the time to join the fandom and cheer them on as they strive for that elusive WNBA championship title.
