Liberty topple Sky to end regular season on three-game win streak

CHICAGO — The Liberty ended their season the same way it began.

With a win. 

New York on Thursday owned the Sky 91-86 in the regular-season finale. 

The Liberty basically won the game in the first quarter when they outscored Chicago 26-11. 

New York was up by 14 at halftime and saw their lead balloon to as big as 23.

Everything went according to script, and now the Liberty — finally without the burden of injuries — head into the playoffs having won three straight games and feeling good about themselves. 

Things went so well, in fact, that the Liberty rested their starters for most if not all of the fourth quarter.

Breanna Stewart had a team-high 24 points to go with six rebounds and three assists.

Stewart, who’s been shooting a career-low from deep, has now made at least one 3-point in each of the last six games — her longest such streak since her 2023 MVP campaign. 

Meanwhile, Sabrina Ionescu had 11 points, five rebounds and 11 assists. 

Rebekah Gardner and Emma Meesseman contributed 15 and 14 points, respectively, off the bench. 

Chicago, under first-year head coach Tyler Marsh, went 10-34 this season and has lots to address this offseason, with Angel Reese’s future perhaps being the most pertinent one. 

Meanwhile, New York finished 27-17 and in fifth place. 

The Liberty head to Phoenix next to play the fourth-seeded Mercury in Game 1 of their best-of-three first-round series Sunday.