Sandy Brondello - 2023 WNBA Finals - Game Four
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello reacts in the second quarter against the Las Vegas Aces during Game Four of the 2023 WNBA Finals at Barclays Center on October 18, 2023 in New York City. Sarah Stier/Getty Images

New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello is still reeling from her team's loss in the recent 2023 WNBA Finals, particularly in the title-clinching Game 4 thriller where they lost by only a point and missed a potential game-winner.

"I haven't rewatched the game. I probably won't for months. Nothing I can do now... we all could've done things better, but it doesn't matter now... the last 24 hours, I just tried to stay distracted...because it hurts. But that's sport, isn't it," the Australian tactician said.

The 55-year-old took over the Liberty in January 2022 after spending the previous eight seasons as the head coach of the Phoenix Mercury from 2014 to 2021, winning a title in her first season.

Following the acquisition of star Breanna Stewart during the offseason, New York concluded the 2023 season with a 32-8 record, the second-best in the league after the Aces. Stewart also bagged her second WNBA MVP award last month.

This remarkable turnaround occurred just one year after the Liberty had a 16-20 record and clinched the seventh seed in the playoffs in 2022.

Breana Stewart's future

The Liberty plans to designate Breanna Stewart as a core player to prevent her from becoming an unrestricted free agent, as per general manager Jonathan Kolb.

The reigning WNBA MVP would be unable to directly sign a contract with another team after being cored.

The 29-year-old's options would be to sign a core qualifying offer, which typically involves a one-year supermax contract, or negotiate alternative terms.