Isabelle

Harrison

Stewart recorded a complete stat line in New York’s home finale, the Liberty’s first game with a full roster for quite some time. The focus for the reigning champs, who are locked into the 5-seed for the playoffs, is to be healthy for the postseason, which opens on Sunday. For that reason, fantasy managers still competing in their playoffs may be unable to count on Stewart playing her usual minutes in Thursday’s regular-season finale against the Sky. That may be an opportunity for Isabelle Harrison and Stephanie Talbot to pick up additional minutes after not checking into Tuesday’s win until the outcome was no longer in doubt.

Sabally won’t play on Friday, but she’ll dress and go through warmups for the second straight game as she gets ready to return to play. Head coach Sandy Brondello noted that both Sabally and Sabrina Ionescu are expected to play once the Liberty return to the east coast for their final two regular season games before the playoffs. Sabally will be a welcomed addition to the Liberty’s front court as she gives the team a different look in their front court. At her most healthy, Sabally presents a level of speed that’s difficult for opposing front court players to guard. But until then, the Liberty will rely upon quality minutes from Emma Meesseman in addition to Isabelle Harrison to give Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones a breather.

Not much offensive production was required of Stewart on a night in which the Liberty were without Sabrina Ionescu (toe), Natasha Cloud (nose), and Jonquel Jones (illness). The former first-overall pick logged 24 minutes and scored more than half of her points in the final five minutes as the Liberty held a large lead — most of the game, it was Isabelle Harrison and Marine Johannes who led New York in scoring. The Liberty’s winning formula on Thursday might not be repeated many other times this season, but it was notable that the banged-up team did not have to rely too heavily on Stewart in only her second game back from a leg injury that had sidelined her for almost a month.

After missing the last seven games, Harrison returned to an injury-plagued Liberty team on Thursday and provided valuable minutes off the bench. In just 18 minutes, the veteran forward scored in double figures on efficient shooting, attacked the glass, and made multiple three-pointers for the first time this season. Harrison led New York in scoring and ultimately finished with her fifth double-digit outing of the season. Should the Liberty remain without key frontcourt members, she should continue to see time and have opportunities to contribute on both ends of the floor.

Harrison will miss her seventh straight game since entering the WNBA’s concussion protocol. She went through pregame warmups on Monday before being ruled out, which could indicate that a return to the court is near. Meanwhile, the Liberty will have Breanna Stewart (knee) and Sabrina Ionescu (foot) back in the starting lineup against the Sun as they look to end a two-game losing streak. Harrison will join a deep and veteran bench once returning.

Harrison has been upgraded since being in concussion protocol since August 10, the day after she played for 14 minutes in the Liberty’s August 10 game against the Lynx. Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello told reporters on Saturday that Harrison “was almost there” when it came to her return, and that Brondello expects Harrison, Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu all to be able to play this coming week. While Harrison has been out, forward Kennedy Burke has played meaningful minutes alongside Jonquel Jones and Emma Meesseman especially while Stewart has been out.

Thursday’s game will be the fifth Harrison has missed since entering the league’s concussion protocol. With Breanna Stewart and Nyara Sabally also out, the Liberty will again be shorthanded in the frontcourt. While Stephanie Talbot has picked up some minutes off the bench, wing Kennedy Burke has been the most-used frontcourt reserve. The Liberty rely primarily on starters Emma Meesseman, Leonie Fiebich and Jonquel Jones, with the latter two playing at least 30 minutes in Tuesday’s win over the Lynx.

Harrison will remain in concussion protocol after she sustained one following the Liberty’s 83-71 loss to the Lynx on August 10. Without Harrison—yet another front court player in addition to Breanna Stewart and Nyara Sabally who both remain out—the Liberty’s front court rotation shrinks and Jonquel Jones, Emma Meesseman and Kennedy Burke will all have to step up. Expect some more minutes from Leonie Fiebich and Stephanie Talbot at the four spot especially since Burke is still getting back into game-level conditioning.

With Breanna Stewart (right knee), Nyara Sabally (right knee) and now Izzy Harrison (concussion protocol) all out and not with the team for their two game stint on west coast, Burke will be expected to play during the trip before heading to Minneapolis to face the Lynx yet again this Saturday. Head Coach Sandy Brondello expressed in her pregame press conference that Burke will dress but won’t play against the Sparks on Tuesday so that she can be available in the Liberty’s game on Wednesday night against the Aces. “With the back to back, she can’t play in two games, coming back from a calf strain,” Brondello said.

Harrison came off the bench on Wednesday after starting the previous game against the Wings. And for a second straight game, she made contributions on the offensive end. She only needed 17 minutes against Minnesota to set a new season-high in points. The veteran forward didn’t post big numbers in any other statistical category, but still had a strong outing overall in a reserve role. Regardless of whether she starts or not, Harrison has an opportunity to score in double figures for the third straight game when the Liberty face the Sun on Friday.