“We still believe in this team,” she added. “Facing some adversity now is not a bad thing for us. It will help us grow.”
The Liberty (4-2), who made it to the Finals for the first time since 2002 in October, gave the ball away 14 times during last Thursday’s 90-81 home loss to Chicago before going to visit the Lynx and committing 18 more turnovers.
New York has also watched former WNBA Most Valuable Player Jonquel Jones struggle during its recent slump.
The 6-foot-6 power forward and seven-year veteran has managed only 12 points and 10 rebounds in her last two games after averaging 17.3 points and 9.5 boards during the Liberty’s previously perfect start.
She also committed eight turnovers and amassed 10 fouls during this ongoing slide, leaving her powerless to play with the same physicality that has made her one of the league’s most consistently dominant players.
“We need JJ. She’s a key piece of what we’re trying to do,” noted Brondello after watching Jones struggle to put up four points on 1-of-5 shooting in 28 minutes Saturday afternoon.
Jones’ recent woes aside, New York has had two days of practice to put things back in focus before it hosts the Phoenix Mercury (3-3) at Downtown’s Barclays Center Wednesday night in the opener of a three-game homestand.
“We just have to have a lot more discipline. (Eighteen turnovers) made it hard for us to stay in the game,” Brondello said.
Reigning league MVP Breanna Stewart did her part in New York’s back-to-back losses, piling up 38 points and 21 rebounds, giving her double-doubles in each of her last three contests.
But the Liberty fell behind 31-17 after one quarter against the Lynx, and found themselves down by eight points at the half against Chicago.
New York has watched its last two opponents bury 21 of its…
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