Meesseman rebounded from a scoreless first half for a productive Liberty debut in her first WNBA game since 2022.
Emma Meesseman was rusty to start on Sunday in her first WNBA game since 2022.
But it didn't matter for the New York Liberty, who rolled to an 87-78 win over the Connecticut Sun to snap a four-game losing streak. Sabrina Ionescu paced the win with a sizzling effort that produced 16 points in the first quarter and 20 by the break.
She finished with a season-high 36 points, 11 rebounds and four assists for her fifth 30-plus point game of the season. Jonquel Jones added 21 points, nine rebounds four assists and two steals. The Liberty played a fourth-straight game without injured All-Star Breanna Stewart.
Meesseman starts slow, finds pace after halftime
The focus Sunday started on two-time All-Star and former Finals MVP Emma Meesseman, who played in her first WNBA game since 2022. Meesseman had since played overseas before signing with the Liberty on July 21, a transaction that further bolstered a star-laden roster seeking to secure the team's second straight WNBA championship.
Meesseman sat New York's first six games since joining the team as the Liberty stumbled to a 2-4 start out of the All-Star break. But she was in the starting lineup Sunday as New York looked to snap its skid against a five-win Sun team with the worst record in the league.
The Liberty immediately got Meesseman involved with a look inside on their first possession. But she missed a layup on the game's first field-goal attempt, then missed a floater in the lane moments later en route to a scoreless first half without another field-goal attempt.
But Meesseman found her rhythm after halftime with an and-1 layup and made free throw for her first WNBA points since 2022 that extended New York's lead to 52-43.
Emma Meesseman makes her first field goal since 09/08/22, and she does it in style 👏
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 3, 2025
NYL-CON | Free on the WNBA App, courtesy of @CarMaxpic.twitter.com/ndWNDlNAEn
She finished with 11 points and three assists while shooting 3 of 7 from the field in 17 minutes. It added up to an encouraging start to her Liberty career as New York looks to re-establish itself as a championship favorite.
This story will be updated.
Category: General Sports
