Betnijah Laney-Hamilton needs knee surgery in Liberty setback

The monthlong Olympic break has come at a fortunate time for Betnijah Laney-Hamilton and the Liberty.

The Liberty’s star wing underwent a “minor” surgery on her right knee on Tuesday and is expected to miss four to six weeks, the team announced.

“Yeah, ‘B’ had a little bit of a cleanout today,” head coach Sandy Brondello said before the game. “If you’re going to have a cleanout, it’s probably the best time now at an Olympic break, isn’t it? She’ll get that done in four to six weeks. Everything went well so that’s what we’ll plan for.”

Laney-Hamilton had missed the past three games due to the injury, before the Liberty ended the first half of the WNBA season Tuesday night at Barclays Center against the Sun.

The Liberty resume play following the Olympic break on Aug. 15, a little more than four weeks after Laney-Hamilton’s surgery.

Kennedy Burke has big night for Breanna Stewart-less Liberty

“It was a very straightforward surgery,” Brondello continued. “[She’s] had some issues with her knees. I think they are just old basketball knees, but I think most pro athletes have the same thing. So it’s just managing that. I don’t think there’s any restrictions when she comes back. It’s just to use the time that we can over this Olympic break and build it back up again.”

Laney-Hamilton, a 10-year veteran, has a history of knee troubles.

In 2022, she suffered a right knee injury and underwent arthroscopic partial meniscectomy surgery, which is performed on torn meniscus cartilage.

She sat for three games in June of this season due to an injury to the same knee.

She returned and played three games before experiencing swelling in the knee during the Liberty’s bus trip to Connecticut for their 71-68 win on July 10.

Liberty’s Betnija Laney-Hamilton has ‘minor’ knee surgery before extended break

“She’s doing well,” said Courtney Vandersloot, who spoke to her after the surgery. “The surgery went well and she’s rested. I told her the comeback starts now.”

The Liberty (20-4) had a busy injury report beyond Laney-Hamilton for Tuesday night’s crucial game against the second-place Sun (18-5).

Breanna Stewart was out for Tuesday’s game, but more for load management reasons than any concern over her right hamstring, according to Brondello.

The absence comes in an effort to manage her playing time ahead of the WNBA All-Star game and her preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics with the United States women’s team.

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“It’s about rest. I have always played her a lot of minutes,” Brondello said. “She’s just a competitor. She wants to play, sometimes you have to hold her back.”

Backup wing Kayla Thornton and backup center Nyara Sabally were available after being listed as questionable with a neck injury and back issue.

Sabally wore a back brace during warm-ups. She’s missed 14 games this season due to the injury. She returned on June 11 against the Sky at Barclays Center.

In Laney-Hamilton’s absence, rookie Leonie Fiebich has started at small forward, and Thornton has logged more minutes than usual in the past few games.

Fiebich will start for the fourth consecutive game on Tuesday night. Backup guard and forward Kennedy Burke will replace Stewart in the lineup for her second consecutive game and second overall start of the season.

The Liberty’s bench has delivered this season when missing one or more starters, going 10-1 during those matchups.

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