After winning the 2024 WNBA Championship, the New York Liberty kept the core that got them there together. Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones are still on the team. However, the Liberty lost Betnijah Laney-Hamilton to an injury, and Kayla Thornton was selected by the Golden State Valkyries in the expansion draft in December.
So, one major question for the Liberty was who would step up at the forward spot in their place. Kennedy Burke wasted no time answering that question. She has stepped up over the first three games of the season, showing off an improved 3-point shot, being an integral part of the Liberty’s offense, and playing good defense.
Kennedy Burke looks ready for a breakout season
After averaging only 3.4 points and 1.5 rebounds per game last season, Kennedy Burke is currently one of the Liberty’s top scorers and defenders.
Her 3-point shot, in particular, looks much improved. For most of her career, Burke shot between 31 and 35 percent from three. Last season, she converted only 25.9 percent of her 1.5 attempts per game. So far this season, she has made seven of her ten attempts from long range.
She has been a major part of the Liberty’s success to start the season, scoring double-digits in her first two regular season games and playing major minutes against the Indiana Fever. Leonie Fiebich went down with a knee injury, so Burke stepped up. She played 28 minutes, scored seven points, grabbed two rebounds, dished out two assists, and played good defense. Even switching on Caitlin Clark couldn’t shake Burke.
If Burke continues to play like this, she may put her name into the conversation for the Most Improved Player award. A breakout season from Burke could be the key to the Liberty winning another championship. Ionescu, Stewart, and Jones will carry the biggest loads on the team, but they will need help from the players around them to lead the Liberty to another championship.
The Liberty’s roster is still strong
Despite losing Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, Kayla Thornton, and Courtney Vandersloot after their championship season, the Liberty have an incredibly strong roster. Burke stepping up to fill the void at the forward spot is one big reason for their early-season success.
So is the addition of Natasha Cloud. Cloud came to New York from Connecticut this offseason in a deal that sent the seventh overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft to the Sun. She has been a seamless fit with the defending champions, providing playmaking, scoring, and great defense.