Latest news with #KennedyBurke
New York Post
13-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Kennedy Burke's blossoming offensive game providing Liberty extra firepower
We've got you covered on the Liberty beat Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Madeline Kenney about all things Liberty and WNBA. tRY IT NOW Kennedy Burke noticed the shift two weeks ago, when the Liberty last played the Dream on June 29 and Atlanta — predictably — started doing whatever it could to take away her 3-point shot. She knew it would happen at some point. It was inevitable. Burke's 3-point shooting, head coach Sandy Brondello said, has been 'off the charts,' allowing her to turn a season-opening tear into a breakout campaign with the Liberty, and at some point, defenses would make the next move in the chess match and force her to respond. It happened that day at Gateway Center Arena when Burke went 1-for-6 from beyond the arc. Her Sixth Player of the Year case still remains intact entering the Liberty's next game against the Dream, this time at Barclays Center on Sunday. Burke leads the WNBA in 3-point percentage (48.6), though her 70 shots are only a fraction of what the most frequent shooters in the league attempt — such as Atlanta star Rhyne Howard's 185 and Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu's 145. Burke's 3-point percentage has jumped from 25.9 percent to 48.6 between 2024 and 2025 and her increase in attempts from beyond the arc (1.5 to 3.7, respectively) has remained notable, too. But Burke, to end the first half of a season where multiple Liberty absences allowed her to log more minutes, has relied on attacking the basket off the dribble as the counter to defensive adjustments, while also using her own defense — including six steals Tuesday against Las Vegas — to create opportunities at the offensive end as she searches for ways to prevent her career year from eventually stalling. 'Knowing if my 3-point shot is not open, I can attack because I know I have a quick first step,' Burke said after practice Saturday, 'so just realizing like the defense is gonna be different now. So just doing whatever it takes to get to the basket and be aggressive.' The breakout for Burke dated back to the winter months, when she took shot after shot from behind the arc in both catch-and-shoot and off-the-dribble situations. She also worked with her trainer on attacking the basket, too, in preparation for when teams tried to take those 3s away. 3 Kennedy Burke shoots a 3-pointer during the Liberty's win over the Aces on July 8, 2025. NBAE via Getty Images And early on in season, it became clear that defenses would need to eliminate that layer of her skill set. Burke hit all four of her 3s during the second game of the season — one of four times this year where she has hit four shots from beyond the arc — and watched as those repetitive drills from the offseason started to pay off. For most of the 2024 season, which marked her first with the Liberty, Burke struggled to settle into a consistent role on a superteam with a mostly rigid rotation, though. A second-round pick in 2019, Burke averaged just 12.1 minutes and 3.4 points per game in her first season in New York while trying to figure out where she fit in around the Liberty's collection of stars, and that can be 'hard,' Breanna Stewart — her Seattle Storm teammate in 2021 — said. 3 Kennedy Burke drives to the rim during the Liberty's win over the Aces . NBAE via Getty Images But Burke has 'really embraced the role' now, Stewart said. She has created an expectation of consistency, of production, of the Liberty knowing exactly what they'll get from her in each game. At most points this season, that involved 3-pointers. But recently, it has expanded to shots inside the arc, too. It evolved to include games such as Tuesday, when she compiled those steals against the Aces — including four in the third quarter that directly led to seven Liberty points at the other end. 'Obviously she's not getting as open,' Brondello said, 'but she still gets her shots up. But look, she's more than just a 3-point shooter.' Covering the Liberty like never before Sign up for Madeline Kenney's Inside the Liberty, a weekly Sports+ newsletter. Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters Burke has been one of the players to take on increased minutes with 2024 WNBA Finals MVP Jonquel Jones out after re-injuring her right ankle. Even though Jones participated in some five-on-five work Saturday and continues to progress, Burke has likely carved out a role that will last even after Jones returns and the Liberty get back to full strength. Burke will likely earn a chance to demonstrate that these strides aren't fleeting glimpses of her potential. The Liberty could use taller lineup combinations at times, Brondello said. They can move everyone around a bit, too. And they can incorporate all of Burke's versatile skill set, one that, finally, has translated across a WNBA season consistently. 3 Kennedy Burke drives to the rim during the Liberty's win over the aces on July 8, 2025. NBAE via Getty Images 'Whatever look they give her,' Stewart said, 'she just takes the other one.'
New York Post
04-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Red-hot Kennedy Burke leads league in 3-point shooting
We've got you covered on the Liberty beat Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Madeline Kenney about all things Liberty and WNBA. tRY IT NOW Kennedy Burke poured in four 3s in Thursday's win against the Sparks. It marked the second time this season she's drained four shots from deep. She finished with 12 points in her fourth start this season. Advertisement Burke is shooting a whopping 50.7 percent from behind the arc this season, which is the highest mark in the league among players who've attempted at least 50 shots from 3-point range. Burke has been so impressive that Natasha Cloud has launched a campaign for her to participate in this year's 3-point shooting contest during WNBA All-Star weekend later this month. Kennedy Burke celebrates during the Liberty's 89-79 win over the Sparks on June 3, 2025. Getty Images Advertisement Burke blushed and smiled at Cloud's assertion. Asked whether she would want to partake in the annual event, Burke said she hasn't really thought about it. 'I don't know,' Burke said. 'I just want to play, honestly. Just be the best player for my teammates, be a good teammate. So, I mean, that's not something that I'm really focused on. I just want to focus on taking it day by day, staying present.' A new public art installation honoring the 2024 WNBA champions was unveiled Thursday on the plaza at Barclays Center. Advertisement 'The Liberty Portraits: A Monument to the 2024 Champions,' created by renowned artist LaToya Ruby Frazier, tells the story of 10 of the 12 players who contributed to last year's title run. Each 3D frame includes a 9-foot-tall portrait of a player in their Liberty uniform on one side and an image of the same player with their chosen family on the other. There's also text panels that feature first-person testimonies from the voice of a loved one. Frazier hopes the portraits are 'beacons of women's leadership and the power of sisterhood. Advertisement 'This collaboration extends beyond fandom and the spectacle of sport; it's an act of celebrating and bearing witness to the full humanity of these championship players — their struggles, their triumphs, their lives outside the arena,' Frazier said in a statement. 'I'm interested in creating a bridge between fans and the team, deepening a sense of compassion and commanding the dignity and respect the team deserves.' This is the first of what Liberty owner Clara Wu Tsai hopes to be many public art installations outside Barclays in the coming years. Sandy Brondello and Cheryl Reeves were named the head coaches for this month's All-Star game. Brondello is set to coach Team Napheesa Collier and Reeves will head Team Caitlin Clark. Sandy Brondello looks on during the Liberty's win over the Sparks. Getty Images The Lynx are the No. 1 team in the league, sitting at 15-2. The Liberty are second at 12-5 with a .706 win percentage. Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts was in line to join Reeves until the Wings knocked off Phoenix on Thursday, dropping his team to 12-6 on the season (.667.) Advertisement Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart, both of whom were named starters this week, will join Brondello in Indianapolis. All-Star reserves are scheduled to be announced Sunday. Cloud was ecstatic to learn Philadelphia is joining Detroit and Cleveland in the WNBA's upcoming expansion. Advertisement 'For my hometown team, the Sixers, to truly invest into a W team, that's always been my dream to have an organization for the city, it's going to be so important,' Cloud said. Cloud will be 38 when Philadelphia is expected to begin to play in 2030. She doesn't know whether she'll still be playing. But she said she'd entertain the idea of working in the team's front office if an opportunity presented itself.
NBC Sports
12-06-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
How to watch New York Liberty vs Indiana Fever: TV/stream info, preview, tip off time
The undefeated New York Liberty — the reigning WNBA champions — face off against the Indiana Fever in a Commissioner's Cup matchup this Saturday, June 14, at 3:00 PM ET. New York won its last contest against the Fever, 90-88, on May 24. The New York Liberty improved to 9-0 — its best start in franchise history — after defeating the Chicago Sky 85-66 on Tuesday at home. Sabrina Ionescu finished with 23 points, 7 assists, and 4 steals in the win, while Breanna Stewart added 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Kennedy Burke became just the fifth player in WNBA history to shoot 100% from three-point range on more than three attempts in back-to-back games. She finished with 15 points, three of which were three-pointers. Burke is in her second season with the Liberty. Tonight, Kennedy Burke became one of only 5 players in @WNBA history to shoot 100% from beyond the arc on more than three attempts in consecutive games, joining Catherine Kraayeveld (as the only other NYL player to do so), Jennifer Azzi, Briann January, and Alysha Clark. 'I had a great conversation with Kennedy in the offseason about what her role would look like, and this is exactly what I imagined. We have confidence in her,' said Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello. 'She's looking good, feeling good, and knowing that her players trust her out there.' Sabrina Ionescu with the no-look DIME to Kennedy Burke, and the Liberty lead by 20 PTS! 🔥 CHI-NYL on ESPN | WNBA Commissioner's Cup presented by @coinbase The Indiana Fever fell 77-58 to the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday night on the road. Natasha Howard finished with a team-high 15 points and 10 rebounds in the loss. It was the team's fifth straight game without Caitlin Clark, who is out with a left quadriceps strain. Her last appearance was on May 24 against the Liberty. However, the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year could return soon. 'We're ready to start ramping back up … It's completely different when you're just doing one-on-one workouts than when you're out there in five-on-five, getting up and down the floor and moving laterally,' said Indiana head coach Stephanie White. "[Clark's] been allowed to do some practicing, not everything. We're going to be smart and we're going to be cautious and we're going to play the long game and work her back in, very intentionally.' RELATED: WNBA Futures 2025 - Betting, odds, expert picks, best bets including Clark, Collier, Wilson, and More Natalie Esquire, How to watch NY Liberty vs Indiana Fever: When: Saturday, June 14 Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana Time: 3:00 PM ET TV Channel: ABC Live Stream: ESPN+ Jackie Powell, How can I watch WNBA games? Over 175 regular season WNBA games will be available across the following networks and streaming platforms: ABC, ESPN, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ION, NBA TV, Prime Video, WNBA League Pass. Click here for the full 2025 WNBA Season Schedule. 2025 WNBA Season Key Dates: June 1-17: Commissioner's Cup Tournament July 1: Commissioner's Cup Championship July 17-21: WNBA All-Star Break July 19: WNBA All-Star Game September 11: Regular Season Ends September 14: Playoffs Begin October 17: Last Possible Finals Date RELATED: WNBA Preview - Lynx try to stay undefeated, Caitlin Clark nears return from quad injury
New York Post
07-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
The transformation that's made Kennedy Burke into a bona fide Sixth Player of the Year candidate
We've got you covered on the Liberty beat Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Madeline Kenney about all things Liberty and WNBA. tRY IT NOW WASHINGTON — Days after the Liberty were crowned WNBA champions for the first time in franchise history, Kennedy Burke laced up her sneakers and headed to the court. The work that she put in over the next six or so months has resulted in a wildly efficient start that's made her an early candidate for Sixth Player of the Year. Her shooting numbers through eight games are staggering — 54.5 percent (24-for-44) from the field and 59.3 percent (16-for-27) from deep. It's a massive leap from a season ago when she shot 40.9/25.9 on fewer attempts per game. Asked how good Burke's shot feels right now, the veteran admitted to The Post, 'It does feel pretty good.' But she made sure to follow that up by giving credit to her teammates 'for giving me the ball when I'm wide open and then just me shooting with confidence.' 3 Kennedy Burke of the New York Liberty dribbles the ball during the game against the Connecticut Sun on June 1, 2025 at Barclays Center Arena in Brooklyn, New York. NBAE via Getty Images Coach Sandy Brondello knew Burke was due for a larger role in the rotation this season, her second with the Liberty. When the Valkyries picked Kayla Thornton in the expansion draft, Burke became even more important to the Liberty's plans for a title repeat. Brondello has seen Burke's confidence early this season, which the coach attributed to Burke's offseason work. But it wasn't a matter of tweaking her mechanics. 'It was just reps, honestly,' she said after the Liberty's 86-78 win against the Mystics. Her mental approach has changed. 3 Kennedy Burke (22) and Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaün (13) battle for a rebound during the second half of a game at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post 'Just knowing that when I shoot the ball, it's going to go in,' Burke said. 'So just having that confidence consistently.' But she has been more empowered than ever to let it fly from deep since Natasha Cloud arrived in Brooklyn. Cloud and Burke spent a brief period of time as teammates for the Mystics in 2022. 3 Kennedy Burke has played a key role with the Liberty this season. Getty Images Cloud knew then Burke had the potential to be an X-factor if she was given the right role. The pair worked out together before training camp started in late April, and the veteran point guard has been encouraging Burke to be aggressive. 'She's been on my butt, just saying, 'If you're wide open, shoot the damn ball,' ' Burke said. 'She's been on me since the beginning of the season — even preseason, honestly. And I will credit that to her, just giving me that confidence.' Cloud may have instilled that belief in Burke, but the results are all Burke's to claim. When Jonquel Jones went down with an ankle injury in the first quarter Thursday, Burke was one of the players who stepped up. For the second time this season, she went 4-for-4 from deep, finishing with 12 points. 'It's been great and certainly we've needed all of those 3-point shots,' Brondello said. Burke's hot start has earned her a spot in the conversation for Sixth Player of the Year. Her 9.3 points per game has her tied for fourth among bench players in scoring, but no one is shooting the ball as efficiently as her. Scoring isn't the only marker for those end-of-season awards. But the off-the-bench boost that she continues to provide on a nightly basis is hard to ignore.
Associated Press
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Breanna Stewart's 26 points, 11 rebounds lead Liberty past Mystics 86-78 for 8th straight win
WASHINGTON (AP) — Breanna Stewart had 26 points and 11 rebounds, Sabrina Ionescu had 13 points and seven assists, and the New York Liberty improved to 8-0 with an 86-78 victory over the Washington Mystics on Thursday night. New York is off to its best start in franchise history, moving past the 1997 squad that started 7-0. Kennedy Burke hit a 3-pointer with 3.3 seconds left in the third quarter to give New York a 73-57 lead. But Washington scored 14 of the opening 18 points of the fourth to get within 77-71. The Mystics had a chance to reduce a seven-point deficit with three minutes remaining before Isabelle Harrison made a steal and a fast-break layup while being fouled. Harrison completed the three-point play for an 81-71 lead. After New York's lead was trimmed to 81-77 following Washington's 6-0 run, Stewart made 3 of 4 free throws and Ionescu added two to stay in front. Burke finished with 12 points on four 3-pointers for New York, which was coming off a 48-point win on the road for the largest margin of victory in franchise history. Kiki Iriafen, the WNBA rookie of the month in May, scored 17 points and Jade Melbourne added 15 for Washington (3-6). Stewart scored 14 points in the first half, Ionescu added 10 and Burke made a 3-pointer from the corner in the closing seconds for a 49-34 lead at the break. ___ AP WNBA:
