Just as the alarms were about the sound, the New York Liberty got themselves together.
After starting the season 9-0, the defending champions lost five of seven games, including a 1-3 road trip without Jonquel Jones, who isn’t projected back until after the All-Star break. That’s a problem on its own, but more concerning than a sprained ankle was a lack of toughness, of effort.
Sandy Brondello expected that to change on Thursday night when her team hosted the Los Angeles Sparks: “It’s getting back to what our identity is. And I thought we went away from that on the road trip, and getting back to the fundamentals of having some toughness and physicality.