Betnijah

Laney-Hamilton

Talbot will fill out the Liberty’s 12 person roster for now as the Liberty previously waived second year guard Marquesha Davis prior to the midpoint deadline. She takes the roster spot of Davis, a player who struggled to crack the Liberty’s rotation. Talbot has familiarity with Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello, who drafted her into the WNBA and then coached her not only on the Phoenix Mercury but also on the Australian National team. Talbot is a switchable wing who will join the Liberty’s rotation as a player able to guard the two through four positions while also stretching the floor and adding some playmaking. This combination is one that the Liberty have missed with Betnijah Laney-Hamilton being sidelined for the entire season after tearing her meniscus earlier this year.

Not only is Saturday opening day for the Liberty, but it’s also “ring day” for the franchise that won its first WNBA title last season. Fiebich, a key reserve, will play despite still dealing with jet lag after completing her season in Germany. How much she’ll play is unknown, but the 6-foot-4 forward will have added importance for the Liberty with Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (knee) out for the season.

Laney-Hamilton, a fixture in the Liberty starting lineup last season when healthy, will not play this season as the team looks to repeat as champions. The veteran wing tore her left meniscus while playing in the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league. For that reason, Laney-Hamilton will not play in 2025. Wednesday’s development was expected in early May, with the Liberty making their decision official one day before rosters must be finalized.

Already boasting a talented roster, the Liberty added Cloud to the mix during the offseason. With the Liberty deciding to suspend Betnijah Laney-Hamilton’s contract due to a knee injury, Cloud easily slid into the starting lineup alongside Sabrina Ionescu. The veteran guard was responsible for four turnovers, but that should not be a consistent issue for Cloud, especially once Brianna Stewart is active. Cloud’s usage may decrease in New York compared to her 2024 season with the Mercury, but she’ll still hold value in most fantasy leagues.

Laney-Hamilton suffered a torn left meniscus while playing in the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league during the offseason, undergoing surgery in late March. With a recovery timeline of five to six months, the veteran wing was likely to miss most of the 2025 season. Kolb’s statement likely rules out the possibility of Laney-Hamilton playing this season. Not only would suspending her contract free up a roster spot, but it would also give the Liberty additional cap space to work with.

Laney-Hamilton has not been ruled out for the entire 2025 season. Still, she will miss a significant amount of time after undergoing surgery on her left knee in March to address a meniscus injury. Laney-Hamilton appeared in 28 games for the Liberty last season, averaging 11.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.5 three-pointers in 30.3 minutes. Her absence may be offset by the return of Marine Johannes, who did not play for the Liberty last season to prepare for the Paris Olympics. The reigning champs will once again have one of the deepest rotations in the WNBA, if not the deepest.