Cloud scores 22 in debut as New York beats Aces in Season Opener
By Noah Zimmerman
Noah@queensledger.com
The Liberty lifted the first pro basketball championship banner in NYC since the 70’s (Photo: NY Liberty)
A professional basketball championship banner has been lifted in New York City for the first time since the 1970s. On Saturday afternoon the New York Liberty held a banner and ring ceremony in Brooklyn ahead of their season opener against the Las Vegas Aces.
The team received their championship rings, designed by Jason of Beverly Hills in collaboration with local designers from L’Enchanteur. The stunning bling has homages to the franchise’s storied and bittersweet 28-year history as an original WNBA franchise. Some touches include a jeweled design of a leaf sprouting through cracks and a pair of gold Liberty earrings.
The championship rings were designed by Jason of Beverly Hills in collaboration with L’Enchanteur (Photos: NY Liberty)
A design of a leaf sprouting through cracks pays homage to the Liberty’s 28-year quest for a title.
On the floor, the Liberty got set to face the Aces. Two seasons ago it was Las Vegas ending the Liberty’s championship dreams in four games, but last season New York got their revenge in the semifinals en route to their first championship title.
Making a statement in the 2025 opener was new Liberty guard Natasha Cloud. The former Mystic star spent 2024 in Phoenix before being traded to Connecticut and later New York in a dramatic offseason.
Natasha Cloud was dominant in her Liberty debut, scoring 22. (Photo by Brandon Todd)
Cloud was seemingly everywhere on the court, blending in seamlessly on both sides of the game. She picked up 22 points and 9 assists on the offensive end, with 3 steals, 2 blocks, and 6 rebounds on defense.
New York held a 14-point lead at halftime but reigning MVP A’ja Wilson kept Las Vegas in it as they outscored the Liberty 25-16 in the 3rd quarter. Wilson scored 18 of her game-high 31 points in the second half, finishing with a 16-rebound double-double.
2024 Finals MVP Jonquel Jones recorded a double-double of her own with 17 points and 10 rebounds for New York. Breanna Stewart scored 25 on 10/14 shooting and pulled down 8 boards as the Liberty began 2025 with a 92-78 win.
2024 Finals MVP Jonquel Jones stares down 2024 regular season MVP A’ja Wilson on defense. Both finished with double-doubles. (Photo by Brandon Todd)
This week New York hits the road to take on the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever, both ripe with young talent and veteran stars. They’ll play former Liberty guard Courtney Vandersloot, Angel Reese, and the Sky on Thursday night before taking on Caitlyn Clark, Aliyah Boston, and the Fever on Saturday afternoon.
The Liberty return to the Barclays Center after Memorial Day as the Golden State Valkyries make their first trip to New York in their debut WNBA season. They will play a pair of games on Tuesday, May 27 and Thursday, May 29, both at 7pm.
