Liberty suffer inexcusable loss to WNBA-worst Sun

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – The Liberty gave up. 

Or at least that’s what appeared to be the case late Friday as New York fell 78-62 to the last-place Sun. 

It was another abysmal, sloppy effort by New York, who vowed to play better after a lengthy postgame meeting in Dallas Monday.

Nevermind the fact the Liberty are down three key players.

That should be no excuse for what unfolded Friday night at Mohegan Sun Arena. 

Comparing each roster, New York should outmatch the rebuilding Connecticut at each position.

Instead of dominating, though, the defending champions got embarrassed for the second time in five days and suffered their fourth straight loss. 

The Liberty had slippery fingers, errant passes and too many steps, resulting in a season-high 23 turnovers. They were outrebounded 42-29, too.

Sabrina Ionescu scored 23 points and had five assists and seven rebounds, but it didn’t matter.

The Liberty can be frustrated by the officiating and the bout of injuries. 

But what they really should be mad at is by laying an egg against the lowest-ranked team in the league.

What happened to the team who put up a valiant effort against Minnesota on Wednesday? Wasn’t the standard of the way “Liberty Biberty Basketball” should be played established that day?

Friday was only the Sun’s fifth win this season. 

The Liberty collectively are reeling, and if they can’t right the ship quickly, then they could be in trouble. 

Friday was not the way the Liberty hoped to respond after a promising showing against the Lynx.

And New York’s schedule is brutal this month, with the Liberty scheduled to play 14 games, including eight on the road. 

New York is set to wrap up this road trip Sunday with a rematch of Connecticut.