The New York Liberty will look to make it three wins in a row to start the 2026 season as they play expansion team Portland Fire on Tuesday. New York began the season with a 106-75 win over the Connecticut Sun at home on Friday. They then beat the Washington Mystics 98-93 on Sunday. Portland, on the other hand, is coming off a 98-83 loss to the Chicago Sky in their WNBA debut.
The Liberty’s starting lineup is relatively old; Jonquel Jones and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton are 32 years old, while Breanna Stewart and Marine Johannes are 31. The bench includes veterans Rebekah Gardner (35), Rebecca Allen (32), and Julie Vanloo (33). The younger core pieces such as Pauline Astier, Marine Fauthoux and Han Xu have yet to establish themselves as bona fide WNBA. Satou Sabally and Sabrina Ionescu are nursing injuries. Indeed, their long-term prospects of winning another championship may depend on developing this younger core alongside the current veteran group.
Stewart led the team in scoring in the first game with 31 points and 10 rebounds in the season opener win. Johannes had her moment in the second game with 25 points, including 8-of-15 shooting and 6-of-13 from three-point range.
As for the Fire, they may be a new team, but they were well aware that their effort needed to be good enough to beat the Liberty. The team consists of a mix of young players and veterans. Carla Leite led the team in scoring with 18 points in the team’s first-ever WNBA game, while Bridget Carleton and Sarah Ashlee Barker combined for 13 each. Megan Gustafson chipped in with 10 points.
New York Liberty vs Portland Fire Injury Reports
New York Liberty Injury Report
The Liberty have four players listed on their injury report. Satou Sabally is dealing with a foot injury and is expected to return next week. Sabrina Ionescu is also out with a foot injury, while Marine Fauthoux (ACL recovery) and Rebecca Allen (leg) remain sidelined.
Portland Fire Injury Report
As for the Fire, Karlie Samuelson (foot) is ruled out, while Sug Sutton (knee) and Kamiah Smalls (knee) are listed as questionable for the game.
New York Liberty vs Portland Fire Starting Lineups
New York Liberty Starting Lineup
PG: Marine Johannes, SG: Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, SF: Breanna Stewart, PF: Pauline Astier, C: Jonquel Jones
Portland Fire Starting Lineup
PG: Carla Leite, SG: Bridget Carleton, SF: Emily Engstler, PF: Nyadiew Puoch, C: Luisa Geiselsoder
How to watch New York Liberty vs Portland Fire?
The Liberty vs Fire matchup is set to tip off at 10 PM ET at the Moda Center. The game will be broadcast live on Fox 12 Plus, Liberty Live and WWOR-TV locally, while fans can also stream it via the Fubo Network and WNBA League Pass.
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