The New York Liberty continue their early-season road trip with a matchup against expansion franchise Portland Fire on Tuesday night at the Moda Center. Even with several important players unavailable, New York has looked like one of the strongest teams in the WNBA through the opening games of the 2026 season. The Liberty are unbeaten at 2-0 and have already delivered one dominant blowout performance while showing championship-level depth and experience. Portland, meanwhile, is still searching for rhythm in its first season back in the league. The Fire showed flashes of offensive potential in their opener against Chicago but struggled defensively and were overwhelmed physically inside the paint.
This game now becomes a major challenge for the young Portland roster as they face Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and one of the most complete frontcourts in women’s basketball. With New York chasing another title run and Portland trying to build chemistry, this matchup could turn into a difficult night for the home side if the Liberty control the tempo early.
Match Information
| Match | New York Liberty vs Portland Fire |
|---|---|
| Tournament | WNBA 2026 |
| Date | 12 May 2026 |
| Time | 10:00 PM EST |
| Venue | Moda Center |
| Broadcast | WWOR-TV, Fox 12 Plus |
Team Records
| Team | Record |
|---|---|
| New York Liberty | 2-0 |
| Portland Fire | 0-1 |
New York enters this matchup undefeated.
Previous Match Results
New York Liberty Recent Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| May 11 | Washington Mystics | Win 98-93 |
| May 9 | Connecticut Sun | Win 106-75 |
| May 4 | Connecticut Sun | Win 79-67 |
| Apr 26 | Indiana Fever | Loss 91-109 |
The Liberty offense has looked explosive to begin the season.
Portland Fire Recent Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| May 10 | Chicago Sky | Loss 83-98 |
| May 4 | Los Angeles Sparks | Loss 75-85 |
| Apr 30 | Seattle Storm | Loss 81-91 |
Portland is still searching for its first win.
Head-to-Head Record
This will be the first official WNBA meeting between the New York Liberty and Portland Fire.
Injury Report
New York Liberty
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Sabrina Ionescu | Out |
| Satou Sabally | Out |
| Marine Fauthoux | Out |
| Rebecca Allen | Out |
Portland Fire
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Karlie Samuelson | Out |
| Kamiah Smalls | Questionable |
| Sug Sutton | Questionable |
Despite injuries, New York still has elite depth available.
Probable Starting Lineups
New York Liberty
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| G | Marine Johannes |
| G | Betnijah Laney |
| F | Breanna Stewart |
| F | Jonquel Jones |
| C | Han Xu |
Portland Fire
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| G | Carla Leite |
| G | Bridget Carleton |
| F | Jerami-type forward rotation |
| F | Young rotation players |
| C | Interior rotation lineup |
New York clearly holds the advantage in experience and size.
Key Players to Watch
New York Liberty
| Player | Key Role |
|---|---|
| Breanna Stewart | Primary scorer |
| Jonquel Jones | Interior dominance |
| Marine Johannes | Perimeter shooting |
| Han Xu | Rim protection |
Portland Fire
| Player | Key Role |
|---|---|
| Carla Leite | Offensive creator |
| Bridget Carleton | Floor spacing |
| Deni-type wing rotation | Defensive energy |
The Liberty frontcourt could control the game physically.
Important Player Stats
| Player | Recent Performance |
|---|---|
| Breanna Stewart | Averaging 27 PPG and 9.5 RPG |
| Marine Johannes | 17 and 25 points in first two games |
| Jonquel Jones | Strong rebounding presence |
| Carla Leite | 18 points in season opener |
Stewart has looked like an MVP candidate early in the season.
Team Comparison
| Category | Liberty | Fire |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive Rating | Elite | Developing |
| Rebounding | Strong | Weak |
| Experience | Championship level | Expansion roster |
| Defensive Consistency | High | Unstable |
| Bench Depth | Excellent | Limited |
New York has a major edge across almost every category.
Betting Odds
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Spread | Liberty -11.5 |
| Total | 173.5 |
| Moneyline | Liberty Heavy Favorite |
The market expects a comfortable New York victory.
Best Bets for Liberty vs Fire
| Market | Pick |
|---|---|
| Match Winner | Liberty |
| Spread | Liberty -11.5 |
| Total Points | Under 174 |
| Player Prop | Breanna Stewart Under 1.5 Three-Pointers |
| Team Total | Liberty Over Team Points |
New York’s size and efficiency should create scoring opportunities throughout the game.
Match Prediction
Portland showed fight in its opener, but this matchup is significantly tougher. The Liberty already look like one of the most polished teams in the league despite missing Sabrina Ionescu and Satou Sabally. Breanna Stewart is carrying the offense effectively, while Jonquel Jones continues to dominate inside the paint. Portland struggled badly on the glass against Chicago, and that could become an even bigger issue against New York’s frontcourt. The Fire may keep the game competitive early thanks to home energy, but over four quarters the Liberty’s experience, defense, and offensive balance should slowly take control. Expect New York to attack inside consistently and force Portland into difficult defensive situations.
Predicted Score
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| New York Liberty | 94 |
| Portland Fire | 79 |
Final Verdict
The Liberty remain one of the strongest title contenders in the WNBA even while dealing with injuries. Their depth, veteran leadership, and frontcourt dominance give them a massive advantage against a young Portland Fire team still trying to build chemistry. Portland may show improvement offensively, but New York’s defensive pressure and playoff-level experience should ultimately decide this game comfortably in favor of the visitors.
Add as a preferred source on Google
