Stewart hits 6,000 career points, Liberty rout shorthanded Sun 106-75 in opener

Liberty 106, Sun 75 — and the defending champs did it without two All-Stars. New York walked into Brooklyn duct-taped together — Sabrina Ionescu out at least two weeks (left ankle), Satou Sabally out (cyst), Rebecca Allen out — and signed Aubrey Griffin and Julie Vanloo to hardship contracts hours before tip just to fill the rotation.

Then they ran the Sun off the floor. New York led 36-13 after one. 36-13. Breanna Stewart hung 31 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks, and crossed 6,000 career points in her 257th game — second-fastest to that mark in WNBA history (Diana Taurasi did it in 250). Jonquel Jones, Leonie Fiebich, and rookie Kiki Iriafen all chipped in. Vanloo gave them another ball-handler the moment she landed in town.

The Sun are rebuilding after losing their core to free agency, so it was always going to be ugly. But the championship favorites just opened the year shorthanded and posted a 31-point W. Title defense, ugly start, easy night.