Betnijah Laney-Hamilton’s Unrivaled Injury Shakes Up Liberty’s 2025 Season
When Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier unveiled the new Unrivaled league, it felt like the perfect alternative for WNBA players. For many, including Angel Reese, the decision was easy—stay stateside, avoid overseas travel, enjoy six-figure pay, and live in vibrant cities like Miami during the offseason. But not every story came with a happy ending.
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<strong>Injury Setback Before the Season</strong>
New York Liberty’s Betnijah Laney-Hamilton joined Unrivaled late in the season to support the Laces. She played just two games—posting solid averages of 15.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists—before suffering a torn meniscus in her left knee. Neither Unrivaled nor the Liberty initially revealed the severity or timeline of the injury, but after surgery, recovery was estimated at five to six months.
<strong>Suspended for the Season</strong>
As a result, Laney-Hamilton will miss the entire 2025 WNBA season. And while the news is disappointing, it isn’t unprecedented. In line with WNBA rules, the Liberty have placed her on the suspended list—a move that removes her $185,400 salary from the cap and frees up a roster spot. It allows the team to bring in another player without penalty, while still retaining Laney-Hamilton’s rights for a return in 2026.
<strong>Injury History Adds Weight</strong>
This isn’t Laney-Hamilton’s first battle with injury. She previously suffered a torn ACL in 2016, which sidelined her for all of 2017. Even last season, she missed games due to a knee procedure but returned in time to help the Liberty reach the WNBA Finals. Her 20-point performance in Game 2 of the Finals was a key highlight of New York’s title run.
<strong>The Bigger Picture</strong>
While the Liberty made a strategic decision to suspend her contract, it was necessary to ensure roster flexibility. The league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement supports such moves when injuries occur outside official WNBA play and will last more than six weeks. This protects both team structure and player rights.
But the absence of Laney-Hamilton will still be felt. She’s a versatile All-Star who brings scoring, defense, and leadership to the floor. Replacing her won’t be easy, especially for a team with championship ambitions.
The Liberty will now have to fill the void while hoping their star forward returns stronger in 2026. For Laney-Hamilton, it’s another tough break—but not the end of her story.