It may appear indefensible.
The Liberty are barely two weeks removed from losing eight times in 10 games, leaving them holding the final playoff spot as they entered Monday’s game against the Storm.
They are 1-4 in their past five games against winning teams, while posting one of the league’s worst defensive ratings over the past month.
They are less than a year removed from a first-round playoff exit, threatening to waste one of the final prime years of Breanna Stewart, who turns 32 this month.
Still, the WNBA trade deadline passed Sunday with silence in Brooklyn, leaving many to wonder how the Liberty expect to contend for a title this season.
The core of the 2024 champions wonder how you can expect anything else.
“I’m not too privy on all of the trade situations, but obviously we know we have enough here,” Stewart said after Monday morning’s shootaround. “We need to build that confidence with all the players that we have. It’s kind of like one of those things where it’s like, ‘Alright, this is it. Now let’s move forward. There’s nothing else. Let’s keep going.’
“It’s business as usual. This is it. This is our group.”
The group that opened this season as the title favorites still hasn’t had a chance to show its true potential.
Sabrina Ionescu missed most of the season’s first five weeks with an ankle injury.
Starting forward Leonie Fiebich (left foot injury) hasn’t suited up since July 3, while three-time All-Star and prized free agent acquisition Satou Sabally (concussion protocol) has been sidelined since June 25.
“[Fiebich] continues to progress,” head coach Chris DeMarco said. “I can’t wait to get her back. She’s doing more and more every day. Saw Satou today. She had a good individual workout. She looks good out there. Good news there.”
There is still no timetable for either player’s return, but general manager Jonathan Kolb’s inaction could be interpreted as optimism of an eventual in-house infusion during the team’s stretch run.
“I’m excited,” Ionescu said. “This is the team that was put together from the beginning. Sometimes when trades happen this late it can make or break a season. You never know what can happen, the fit that you have. We’re lucky to know that our consistency is gonna stay the same.
“We haven’t let trade talks and all that stuff get in the way of our chemistry, our locker room. We’re really happy and confident with the players that we have here that are committed to winning, understanding the buy-in that we have to have from everyone.”
The Mercury swung for the fences, trading for Kelsey Plum despite sitting eight games under .500 and with no guarantee that Plum will be back in Phoenix next year.
The Liberty essentially laid down a sacrifice bunt, giving its star-studded lineup a chance to step to the plate and save the day.
The sportsbooks still believe, listing the Liberty behind only Minnesota and Las Vegas among the league’s title favorites.
The fans have faith, keeping the Liberty among the league’s attendance leaders despite a largely forgettable first three months of the season.
It is as if the Liberty believe the season has just begun.
“Nothing’s changed,” DeMarco said. “We love the players in our building and we have full confidence that we’re gonna be playing our best basketball when it matters.”
