New York Liberty face Connecticut Sun in WNBA Commissioner’s Cup opener

Scheduled for June 1, 2025, at 3 p.m. ET, the New York Liberty (6-0) take on the Connecticut Sun (1-5) at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, marking the start of the 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup. Broadcast live on NBCS-BOS, WWOR-My9, and Liberty Live, the game pits the reigning champions against a rebuilding Sun squad. The Liberty, favored by 18.5 points, boast a league-leading defense anchored by Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart, while the Sun rely on veteran Tina Charles, averaging 17.2 points per game, to spark their offense. The matchup highlights the Liberty’s dominance and the Sun’s struggle to find form after a major roster overhaul. Fans can stream the game on FuboTV or WNBA League Pass.

The Liberty, fresh off their 2024 championship, have started the 2025 season undefeated, with a 6-0 record. Their offensive efficiency, averaging 91.6 points per game, and defensive prowess, allowing just 76.8 points, make them the team to beat. In contrast, the Sun have struggled, posting a 1-5 record and the league’s lowest scoring average at 68.0 points per game. The game is the first of the Commissioner’s Cup, a mid-season tournament where teams compete for a prize pool and bragging rights.

• Key game details:
  • Tipoff: 3 p.m. ET at Barclays Center.
  • Betting odds: Liberty -18.5, over/under 163.5 points.
  • Streaming: FuboTV, WNBA League Pass.

The Sun’s lone win came in a preseason game against the Liberty, but their regular-season form has been inconsistent, making this a daunting challenge against a stacked New York roster.

Liberty’s championship pedigree

The New York Liberty have carried their 2024 championship momentum into 2025, remaining undefeated through six games. Their roster, bolstered by the acquisition of Natasha Cloud from the Sun in March 2025, combines offensive firepower with elite defense. Sabrina Ionescu, averaging 18.6 points and 6.2 assists, drives the backcourt, while Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart dominate the paint, contributing to the team’s league-best defensive rating.

In their most recent game, the Liberty defeated the Indiana Fever 90-88 on May 24, with Jonquel Jones scoring 26 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. The team’s ability to close out tight games has been a hallmark of their early-season success. At home, the Liberty are nearly unbeatable, with a 16-4 record in Eastern Conference play last season and a strong start in 2025.

The Barclays Center, hosting an average of 12,108 fans per game in 2024, provides a significant home-court advantage. The Liberty’s 90-point scoring outbursts in all three games this season make them a formidable opponent for the Sun.

Sun’s rebuilding challenges

The Connecticut Sun are in the midst of a rebuild after losing key players like Alyssa Thomas, Brionna Jones, and DeWanna Bonner in the offseason. The team’s 1-5 record reflects their struggles to integrate new talent, including first-round picks Aneesah Morrow and Saniya Rivers. Tina Charles, a former WNBA MVP, remains the team’s offensive cornerstone, but her 17.2 points per game have not translated into consistent wins.

The Sun’s offense ranks last in the WNBA, with a 26.3% three-point shooting rate and a 39.0% field goal percentage. Defensively, they allow 88.2 points per game, one of the highest in the league. Their recent 94-86 preseason win over the Liberty on May 9 offered a glimmer of hope, but regular-season losses, including two by single digits, highlight their competitive but inconsistent play.

• Sun’s early-season stats:
  • Scoring: 68.0 points per game (12th in WNBA).
  • Field goal percentage: 39.0% (12th).
  • Turnovers: 12.1 per game (2nd fewest).

Coach Stephanie White has emphasized improving ball movement and reducing reliance on Charles, but the team’s youth and lack of cohesion remain obstacles.

Tina Charles under pressure

Tina Charles faces a tough matchup against the Liberty’s frontcourt. The 36-year-old pivot has been a bright spot for the Sun, leading the team with 17.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. However, her performance against the Liberty last season was subdued, averaging 12.5 points on 41.3% shooting across four games.

The Liberty’s defensive strategy, led by Jones and Stewart, focuses on forcing Charles into less efficient mid-range shots. In their 2024 matchups, Charles averaged 2.5 turnovers per game against New York, a trend the Liberty will likely exploit. Betting markets reflect this, with the under 16.5 points prop for Charles at -120 odds.

• Charles vs. Liberty in 2024:
  • Points: 12.5 per game.
  • Rebounds: 5.5 per game.
  • Shooting: 41.3% from the field.

The Sun will need Charles to dominate the paint and avoid turnovers to keep the game competitive.

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Commissioner’s Cup stakes

The game marks the opening of the 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup, an in-season tournament where teams play five games against conference rivals. The Liberty, as defending champions, are favored to dominate the Eastern Conference bracket, while the Sun aim to use the tournament to build momentum. The Cup’s prize pool and charitable contributions add extra motivation for both teams.

Last season, the Liberty went 4-1 in Commissioner’s Cup play, showcasing their depth. The Sun, with a 3-2 record in 2024, struggled against top teams like New York. The June 1 matchup will set the tone for both teams’ tournament campaigns.

The Liberty’s balanced attack, with four players averaging double-digit points, gives them an edge. The Sun, however, will look to exploit their low turnover rate (12.1 per game) to stay in the game.

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Betting trends and odds

Betting markets heavily favor the Liberty, with a -2200 moneyline and a -18.5 point spread. The over/under is set at 163.5 points, reflecting expectations of a Liberty-dominated game tempered by the Sun’s defensive efforts. The Liberty have covered the spread in four of their six games this season, while the Sun have failed to cover in three of their five losses.

Popular prop bets include Breanna Stewart over 20.5 points (-110) and Sabrina Ionescu over 5.5 assists (-115). The Sun’s underdog status (+1100 moneyline) offers high-risk, high-reward potential for bettors.

• Top betting lines:
  • Liberty -18.5 (-110).
  • Over/under 163.5 points (-110).
  • Tina Charles under 16.5 points (-120).

The Liberty’s 70% hit rate on games with at least two three-pointers in the first three minutes last season makes early-game shooting props intriguing.

Barclays Center atmosphere

The Barclays Center, with a capacity of 17,732, is expected to draw a near-capacity crowd for the Liberty’s home game. In 2024, the venue hosted a record 15,224 fans for a playoff game, and the June 1 matchup is projected to attract similar numbers. The Liberty’s 85% home win rate last season underscores the impact of their fanbase.

The game coincides with the Liberty’s celebration of Ellie’s Birthday, a promotional event likely to boost attendance. Group outings and themed activities, as advertised on the team’s website, will enhance the festive atmosphere.

• Barclays Center highlights:
  • 2024 average attendance: 12,108 per game.
  • Playoff record: 15,224 fans (highest in 2024).
  • Home win rate: 85% in 2024.

The Sun will face a hostile environment, adding to their challenge.

Recent head-to-head history

The Liberty dominated the Sun in 2024, winning three of four regular-season games. Margins ranged from 8 to 22 points, with the Sun’s lone win coming in a low-scoring 72-64 game on August 24. The Liberty’s defensive pressure, forcing 12.1 turnovers per game from the Sun, was a recurring theme.

In their May 9, 2025, preseason matchup, the Sun won 94-86, led by Charles’ 17 points. However, the regular-season context favors the Liberty, who have improved their roster with Cloud’s addition.

The Liberty’s 50.0% field goal percentage in their 2023 playoff win over the Sun (92-81) highlights their ability to exploit Connecticut’s defensive weaknesses.

Strategic approaches

The Liberty’s game plan will likely center on their defensive dominance, doubling Charles in the post and forcing the Sun to rely on perimeter shooting. Offensively, Ionescu’s playmaking and Stewart’s versatility will stretch the Sun’s thin defense.

The Sun, under Stephanie White, will focus on pick-and-roll plays to free Charles and create open looks for Marina Mabrey. Improving their 26.3% three-point shooting is critical to keeping pace with the Liberty’s offense.

The Liberty’s deeper bench, with contributions from Natasha Cloud and Kayla Thornton, gives them an edge in maintaining intensity throughout the game.

Broadcast and streaming options

Fans can watch the game on NBCS-BOS in Connecticut, WWOR-My9 in New York, or Liberty Live for local viewers. National streaming options include FuboTV and WNBA League Pass, both requiring subscriptions. Pregame coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. ET, with analysts focusing on the Liberty’s title defense and the Sun’s rebuild.

The game’s availability on multiple platforms reflects the WNBA’s growing popularity, with 2024 viewership up 15% from the previous season. The Liberty’s games, in particular, have drawn strong audiences, averaging 1.2 million viewers per game in 2024.

• Viewing options:
  • TV: NBCS-BOS, WWOR-My9, Liberty Live.
  • Streaming: FuboTV, WNBA League Pass.
  • Pregame start: 2:30 p.m. ET.

The matchup is expected to attract significant attention as the Commissioner’s Cup opener.