The Chris DeMarco era in Brooklyn is officially underway—and it couldn't have started with more style. The New York Liberty kicked off the WNBA's historic 30th season in emphatic fashion, dismantling the Connecticut Sun 106-75 at Barclays Center on Friday night.
From the opening tip, it was clear this was a statement game. The Liberty exploded for 36 points in the first quarter alone—their highest-scoring opening period since 2023. The new-look offense, built around crisp pick-and-rolls and relentless ball movement, created paint touches and open perimeter looks that left the Sun scrambling.
Breanna Stewart was unstoppable, leading all scorers with 31 points while adding 10 rebounds, two assists, and three blocks. In doing so, she became the second-fastest player in WNBA history to reach 6,000 career points, achieving the milestone in just 293 games.
The highlight of the night came when Betnijah Laney-Hamilton welcomed Sun rookie Gianna Kneepkens to the league with a crossover that sent the first-round pick to the floor before draining a jumper. It was the kind of moment that defines a season opener—and a new era.
Every Liberty starter except Pauline Astier scored in double figures, showcasing the depth and balance that DeMarco has instilled. The performance was so dominant that Julie Vanloo—who signed a hardship contract and arrived in New York just after midnight—was on triple-double watch by halftime. She finished with 12 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds, an incredible debut after meeting her teammates only hours earlier.
By halftime, the game was effectively over, with New York leading 66-37. The lone bright spots for Connecticut came during jumbotron tributes for two former Liberty members: Kennedy Burke and head athletic trainer Terri Acosta. Burke finished with four points, three rebounds, and three assists in her return to Barclays Center.
With only nine players available due to injuries and the additions of Vanloo and New York native Aubrey Griffin, DeMarco rolled out a starting lineup of Astier, Marine Johannes, Jonquel Jones, Stewart, and Laney-Hamilton. The group dominated on both ends, facing little resistance from a rebuilding Sun squad.
If this is a preview of what the DeMarco era has in store, Liberty fans have plenty to be excited about. The WNBA's 30th season is off to a roaring start in Brooklyn.