In their first Commissioners Cup game, the New York Liberty faced the Toronto Tempo for the first time ever. The Liberty’s starting five consisted of Leonie Fiebich, Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, Marine Johannes, and Pauline Astier.
This game marked Sandy Brondello’s first game back to Brooklyn since departing the Liberty’d head coach position at the end of last season. The Tempo coach and Nyara Sabally, who was selected by Toronto in the expansion draft, received warm welcomes from the Barclays’ crowd and Liberty players. Isabelle Harrison was also signed to the Tempo during the off-season and also received a warm welcome back, though she did not play.
Jones looked pumped to start the game: fitting since she made the first basket of the game with two. Johannes also started the game strong with a three. The Liberty were moving well in the first half, looking fast and agile. New York ended the half 40-34, after a three-point attempt for Toronto was deemed to have not been released in time.
Jones led the game with 17 points and 12 rebounds in the first half. Johannes followed Jones, albeit from a distance, with eight points. Nyara Sabally was the highlight for the Tempo in the first, making nine points.
Sister, sister 👯♀️🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/6kS5U4qaK4
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) June 3, 2026
The third quarter flew by with quite a bit of scoring: the Liberty earning 30 points to the Tempo’s 24. Marina Mabrey took control of her game in the third, making 15 points. Despite Mabrey’s performance, the Liberty still led by 16 points heading into the fourth quarter.
The Liberty led the game from the middle of the second quarter and didn’t seem to have any desire to slow down. Jones continued to dominate the scoreboard, totaling 22 points and 17 rebounds by the final whistle. Toronto took a timeout with 1:33 remaining, when Teonni Key went down awkwardly after a block from Jones. Key immediately went to the locker room.
While the team may not have had the most perfect game, the defensive play looked stronger. Jones stated that the sustained defensive pressure was critical to the win on Wednesday. Both teams took their fair share of fouls during the matchup. The Liberty won the game 97-82, now on a three-game win streak.
The New York Liberty play again on on Saturday, June 6 at 8 p.m. against the Indiana Fever.
