Latest news with #Fiebich
New York Post
23-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Liberty rip Caitlin Clark-less Fever thanks to Jonquel Jones' big second half
We've got you covered on the Liberty beat Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Madeline Kenney about all things Liberty and WNBA. tRY IT NOW Jonquel Jones' return wasn't pretty at first. She started just 1-for-7 from the field. She committed silly fouls. She wasn't the imposing presence on defense she usually is. Advertisement But it was just early rust. Jones shook off her rough start and was paramount in the second half of the Liberty's 98-84 win over the Caitlin Clark-less Fever on Tuesday night at Barclays Center. She became a force in the paint. She began vacuuming rebounds at will. She affected shots with her size. Jones finished with a team-high 18 points on 5-for-13 shooting from the field along with nine rebounds. Her 3-pointer with 6:01 left in the game gave the Liberty a nine-point lead — their largest of the night up to that point. Advertisement She was making her long-awaited return, having missed more than a month after re-spraining her right ankle. And she very quickly made it obvious just how much the Liberty had missed her. The Liberty had two All-Stars in Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, and a third in Natasha Cloud participating in the week's festivities. Jones, their anchor in the paint, is a perennial All-Star and likely would have been again this year if she didn't miss so much time due to the injury. 3 Jonquel Jones, who scored a team-high 18 points, shoots a jumper during the Liberty's 98-84 win over the Fever on July 22, 2025. Jason Szenes / New York Post Advertisement But it was one of their role players in Leonie Fiebich who joined Jones in saving them after the All-Star break. While the Liberty's usual leading faces were sluggish and sloppy early in the first game of the second half of the season, Fiebich carried them for large stretches of the game. Each time the Fever looked to be making a run — and there were plenty — and begin pulling away, there was Fiebich with a clutch bucket. 3 Jonquel Jones looks to make a move on Aliyah Boston during the Liberty's win over the Fever. Jason Szenes / New York Post Advertisement She finished with 17 points on 5-for-7 shooting from the field and perfect 2-for-2 from 3-point range along with five rebounds. The Liberty were on the ropes late in the third quarter, down 67-60 with 2:24 left. But they closed the quarter on a 9-0 to take a two-point lead into the fourth quarter and promptly scored the first four points of the final period to extend their lead to six. Fiebich drilled a 3-pointer in the third-quarter run and hit two free throws in the run. Jones and the Liberty's other stars finally came alive and took it from there. Stewart woke up after a slow start of her own, recording 11 points in the second half to finish with 17 on 6-for-11 shooting. She also picked up three steals. 3 Sabrina Ionescu, who scored 10 straight points in the fourth quarter, shoots over Natasha Howard during the Liberty's win over the Fever. Jason Szenes / New York Post Ionescu helped the Liberty put the game away, erupting out of nowhere for 10 straight Liberty points in the fourth quarter as their lead ballooned to 13. She had been struggling with her shot up to that point. Kelsey Mitchell paced the Fever with 29 points but was quiet down the stretch. Advertisement The Liberty were careless for too many stretches of the game, committing 19 turnovers. Too many were avoidable, the product of ill-advised passes into traffic. But when a team is as stacked as the defending champions are, there is room for errors. And for the first time in a while, that stacked roster is pretty much entirely back together.
New York Post
15-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Liberty's Leonie Fiebich breaking out of her shell with expanded offensive game
We've got you covered on the Liberty beat Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Madeline Kenney about all things Liberty and WNBA. tRY IT NOW After Leonie Fiebich squeezed by Breanna Stewart's screen and left Allisha Gray stumbling behind her during Sunday's game, the German wing saw an open runway to the basket and attacked it like a running back through a hole. Fiebich laid it in for the Liberty's first basket of the game. Advertisement Later in the first quarter, Fiebich got a steal and then on the other end of the floor Stewart fed Fiebich, who, after a brief hesitation, knocked down a 3. That first quarter set the tone for the type of game Fiebich was going to have. Fiebich had eight points in the first half and played a major role in the Liberty's third-quarter rally that eventually led to their 79-72 win. She finished with a regular-season career-high 21 points on 8-for-9 shooting and 4-of-5 from deep. Leonie Fiebich reacts during the Liberty-Dream game on July 13, 2025. Michelle Farsi/New York Post Advertisement It came just a few days after Fiebich dropped 15 points in a win against the Aces. The past two games have been growth for Fiebich. She was determined and attacked the basket with velocity. She finished strong and was confident. 'Leo has a bag that's deeper than just a 3-and-D player and you're starting to see it especially in these past two games when she takes an iso opportunity and really gets downhill, gets to the basket,' Stewart said. 'But for Leo, it's all about confidence.' Advertisement With the way Fiebich plays, it's easy to forget that this is only her second WNBA season. The 25-year-old plays like a seasoned role player. But Sandy Brondello knows Fiebich has another level to reach. 'Love everything about Leo and what she brings to this team. She's the ultimate professional, how she comes ready to play and selfless,' Brondello said. 'We're encouraging her to shoot obviously, and put her in the actions there because she's the most pure shooter I've ever seen. And with her size, at 6-foot-4, her ability. If you come off a screen to just get balance and shoot it, it's beautiful.' Leonie Fiebich makes a layup during the Liberty-Dream game on July 13, 2025. Michelle Farsi/New York Post Advertisement Fiebich was annoyed last week because everyone had been pestering her — from her coaches and some teammates to media and fans — to be more aggressive in hunting for her shot. But that's never been Fiebich's approach to the game. On offense, she's a great floor spacer and the ball moves smoother when she's out there. But Fiebich prioritizes defense and shutting down opponents. She loves doing the dirty work and handling the unsung duties that often make her teammates shine. 'Honestly, I just have fun on defense. I'm just annoying my opponent,' Fiebich said. 'For me, if you go into a game with an offensive mindset, you never know if your shot is going to fall or not. You never know if you get the calls and on defense, you really always know what you have to do — the aggression you play with and the intensity — and that's just something you can control, and yeah, I just don't want to rely on the uncontrollables on offense.' Fiebich isn't a player that Brondello and her staff have to worry about when it comes to shot selection. The objective now is for the Liberty to continue to build up Fiebich's confidence as a scorer. 'Everyone is really happy when Leo is playing like that,' Marine Johannès said. 'Every night, she's just doing a great job, but she's also doing the dirty job. So yeah, tonight, seeing her get shots and be comfortable on the court was really good for us and I hope that it can be like that every day for her because it was really great.'
New York Post
10-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Leonie Fiebich finally giving Liberty a side of her game they've been pleading for
We've got you covered on the Liberty beat Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Madeline Kenney about all things Liberty and WNBA. tRY IT NOW Liberty wing Leonie Fiebich had grown tired of hearing about how she needed to shoot more since her return from EuroBasket. So in Tuesday's win over the Aces, Fiebich made a point to hunt for her shot, and it paid off in a big way. Advertisement Fiebich shot 6-for-11 from the field and 2-for-6 from deep for a season-high 15 points to help the Liberty to an 87-78 victory. Before Tuesday, Fiebich hadn't attempted more than six field goals in a game. She combined for just nine field goal attempts in her first two games back after EuroBasket. Fiebich is a selfless player, almost to a fault. She plays an important part in moving the ball and floor spacing within the offense. But she especially thrives on defense, and puts a lot of her focus and energy on that side of the ball. Advertisement Liberty forward Leonie Fiebich (13) shoots over Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3) during the first half at Barclays Center, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Brooklyn, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST Coach Sandy Brondello doesn't have to worry about Fiebich taking a bad shot or going rogue in isolation. But Brondello had been encouraging Fiebich to not pass up good looks. Breanna Stewart noticed a change in Fiebich's approach in the first quarter. Advertisement 'She shot three shots within three minutes. I was like, 'OK, Leo's going to be aggressive today.' But that's what we need,' Stewart said. 'She's more than just a 3-and-D player. She can get into the heart of defenses and find and finish.' Scoring was just one area Fiebich stood out against the Aces. She also grabbed nine rebounds for the second time this season and blocked three shots. As far as a favorite personal highlight from Tuesday's game, Fiebich said she didn't have one. Liberty forward Leonie Fiebich (13) blocks Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) during the first half at Barclays Center, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Brooklyn, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST 'I just really care about what we do as a team,' Fiebich said. Advertisement Playing without two starters Tuesday, what the team needed from Fiebich was for her to be more assertive on offense, and she answered the call. Nike unveiled Sabrina Ionescu's third signature shoe Tuesday. Nike Sabrina 3 features several nods to Ionescu's roots and success. The embroidery and unique textile weaving was inspired by Ionescu's Romanian heritage, and the vertical, off-axis Swoosh symbolizes the 'glass ceilings Ionescu continues to shatter,' according to Nike. Ionescu said it's hard to believe she's developed her third signature shoe. 'Just being able to show up to games and look in the stands and see so many young boys and girls in my shoes, and being able to inspire them when they watch me play,' Ionescu said. 'I never really lose sight of the importance and significance of what I'm able to do while I'm playing basketball and inspiring. And obviously super excited to be able to debut the 3s here pretty soon and just keep that going.' Advertisement The Sabrina 1 and 2s have become some of the most popular sneakers worn by NBA and WNBA players. She hopes this new rendition will be as in demand as her first two. 'That's the goal,' she said.
New York Post
03-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Liberty getting whole again with Leonie Fiebich back after team's rough stretch
Leonie Fiebich kept tabs on the Liberty the best she could when she was away for EuroBasket the past few weeks. We've got you covered on the Liberty beat Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Madeline Kenney about all things Liberty and WNBA. tRY IT NOW She saw the underwhelming results and updates on social media. She got texts from her WNBA teammates asking her to come back. Advertisement 'It's also OK for us to go through a phase like this that it's hitting us now and not later in the year,' Fiebich said after practice Wednesday. 'We just gotta find a way back.' Now is the time to do just that. The Liberty opened their title defense with a franchise-best 9-0 start. Advertisement Over the past 2 ½ weeks, though, they have faltered. The team lost five of its past seven games and recently finished a 10-day road trip with back-to-back losses in Phoenix and Atlanta. 3 Germany's Leonie Fiebich, left, and Sweden's Fanny Wadling in action during the European Championships basketball match between Germany and Sweden at the Inselpark Arena in Hamburg, Germany, Thursday, June 19, 2025. AP The Liberty (11-5) entered Wednesday ranked third in the league standings. Advertisement Despite the struggles, though, Natasha Cloud believes outsiders need to take a 'chill pill.' 'We have everything that we need,' Cloud said. 'In that locker room, there is no panic. I think everyone needs to take a reality check. … We have two missing starters.' The Liberty were without two starters for most of that stretch since Fiebich — one of the team's best defenders — went overseas for EuroBasket and Jonquel Jones — New York's best rim protector — aggravated a right ankle sprain. It didn't help either that Sabrina Ionescu was a late scratch for the June 22 loss in Seattle after she woke up with a kink in her neck. Advertisement 3 Natasha Cloud of the New York Liberty shoots the ball during the game against the Atlanta Dream on June 29, 2025 at Gateway Center Arena at College Park in Atlanta, Georgia. NBAE via Getty Images Ionescu still didn't have full movement in her neck when she helped the Liberty beat the Valkyries in front of a rowdy violet-laden crowd in San Francisco. Ionescu is better now, and Fiebich is back in the mix. The German wing is expected to play Thursday against the Sparks. Jones is also on the mend and was seen doing individual work off to the side with director of player development coach Andrew Wade toward the end of Wednesday's practice. The Liberty didn't anticipate Jones returning before WNBA All-Star weekend (July 18 and 19) based on their initial June 21 update that she'd be out for four to six weeks. Speaking to reporters for the first time since she reinjured her ankle in June, Jones said she doesn't have a target date for her return to play but feels she's in a 'good spot.' This all bodes well for the Liberty, who are playing eight straight games at home, starting Thursday. Advertisement 'I think we're going to be able to kind of turn the page and see a different team here when we're back at home,' Ionescu said. Ionescu thought it was promising to see the team 'fought' over the past two weeks, despite being shorthanded. She described the team vibes as 'good.' 'Everyone kind of sees the big picture and isn't really panicking,' she said. 'It's just that understanding of we need people to step up, we need people to continue to try and make up for the players that aren't here and those are really big shoes to fill. And so we just need to continue to chip away.' Advertisement The Liberty aren't scheduled to hit the road again until their July 28 game in Arlington, Texas, against the Wings. If they do in fact get back on track before the All-Star break, then the previous turbulence will be only a blip in a long season. But if problems persist even with Fiebich on the floor, then it might be time to sound the alarm. 3 Sabrina Ionescu of the Liberty drives to the basket during the game against the Atlanta Dream on June 29, 2025 at Gateway Center Arena at College Park in Atlanta, Georgia. NBAE via Getty Images Advertisement For now, though, the Liberty deserve the benefit of the doubt given their championship credentials and the recent circumstances. But they should know the sand in the hourglass is running low. 'Everyone faces adversity, so you got to stay together,' coach Sandy Brondello said. 'This is where your character shows. And we're our worst enemy, you know what I mean? 'In the end, we didn't play hard enough. And so that's what the last few days have been about. Getting back to who we are and demanding more. And Leo makes a big difference.'
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sabrina Ionescu Isn't Upset About New York Liberty's Big Loss
Sabrina Ionescu Isn't Upset About New York Liberty's Big Loss originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The New York Liberty's star-studded squad was missing something as the 2024 regular season came to a close. Although a team with Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart finished with a WNBA-best 32-8 record, head coach Sandy Brondello decided that rookie forward Leonie Fiebich needed to be in the starting lineup when the playoffs began. Advertisement With another lanky shooter and a strong defender on the floor in Fiebich, the Liberty rolled to the WNBA Finals and defeated the Minnesota Lynx in five games to win their first-ever championship. Brondello's plan worked so well that Fiebich has kept her starting role in 2025. The 9-0 Liberty are the W's only unbeaten team, featuring the league's best offense (114.2 offensive rating) and its best defense (90.2 defensive rating). But Brondello now has a Fiebich-sized hole to patch in the lineup, as the 25-year-old is heading to Eurobasket to play for her native Germany. The tournament, which will be held in four different European countries, begins June 18 and runs through June 29, could rule Fiebich out for the Liberty's next seven games, starting with Saturday's road game against the Indiana Fever. Advertisement On paper, it's a huge loss for an undefeated team enjoying tremendous synergy in the early stages of its title defense. But Ionescu, the Liberty's longest-tenured player, sees an opportunity amid Fiebich's absence. "We're not going to sit here and kind of pout and be upset that she had to go do that," Ionescu told the media on Friday. "I think it's just understanding we got to grind out." Winning the 2024 WNBA Finals, in which Ionescu played with a serious injury, served as confirmation that the Liberty were as resilient and as tough as they come. Those qualities have been displayed this season in tight wins over the Fever and the Golden State Valkyries, but Ionescu is embracing the challenge that awaits without Fiebich, starting with an Indiana team that will welcome back Caitlin Clark from a five-game injury absence. Advertisement Related: Sabrina Ionescu Had One Word for Vanessa Bryant This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
