Liberty's star trio say DeMarco's future 'not our decision' - ESPN

NEW YORK — After the New York Liberty were swept in the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs, losing 85-83 to the Atlanta Dream on Friday, first-year head coach Chris DeMarco said without hesitation he expects to return next season.

But when New York's three stars — Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones — were asked whether it was their hope and expectation that DeMarco would be back, none offered a definitive vote of confidence in the coach.

Stewart said she «1,000%» believes the team had the personnel to win a championship this year, but added, «What I'm thinking about right now is just the missed opportunity.»

«Of course, we want to win a championship every single time we step on the court, but it's really hard in this league, and in order to do that, you need to be consistent for the full 44 games,» Stewart said when asked about DeMarco. «And I don't think we were consistent throughout the season. I think that we started to show some life and peak a little bit in towards the end and in the playoffs. But this is not like cramming for a test. You got to be ready and ready to go since the jump.»

Ionescu said DeMarco's future was «not our decision,» a sentiment that Stewart and Jones echoed.

«We're thankful for everything that he's done this year,» Ionescu said. «Just focusing on the now, the way he's poured into us and stayed positive, level-headed through the ups and downs of this season as well that didn't go the way that he wanted, either.

»I mean, I don't know what's going to happen. Regardless, thankful for him coaching us this year and obviously giving us a chance. And we just fell short."

Added Jones: «That's not our say. Our job is to go out there and play good basketball and represent the organization