Betnijah Laney-Hamilton Remains with Liberty as Benching Takes Emotional Toll

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton will remain with the New York Liberty after the trade deadline, though the veteran guard continues to face significant bench time under first-year coach Chris DeMarco. The emotional strain of her uncertain role has taken a visible toll on the 32-year-old former All-Star, who has not appeared in seven straight healthy games.

Current Situation

Laney-Hamilton, who signed a one-year contract worth $400,000 in April, opened the season as a starter but has seen limited opportunities. Through 30 games, she has appeared in only 17, averaging a career-low 16.8 minutes per game. Her shooting efficiency has also declined significantly: she is converting just 36.2 percent from the field and 24.3 percent from three-point range, a stark contrast to her performance during the 2024 championship run when she played more than 30 minutes nightly.

The guard's struggles intensified after she was ejected for throwing a shoe during a July 12 loss in Toronto. Since that incident, she has not returned to action, remaining sidelined as DeMarco evaluates the team's rotation on a game-by-game basis. Before Monday's victory against the Storm, Laney-Hamilton expressed her frustration candidly, describing her situation simply as "a lot," though she indicated she lacked sufficient time to fully articulate the difficulties she faces.

Unclear Path Forward

DeMarco has publicly stated confidence in Laney-Hamilton's abilities, suggesting she would receive additional floor time in upcoming contests. However, his comments before Monday's matchup suggested a more cautious approach. The coach emphasized that playing time would be determined based on game-by-game performance and strategic needs, offering no firm timeline for her return.

Teammate Breanna Stewart acknowledged Laney-Hamilton's value both on and off the court, praising her ability to provide guidance and leadership in huddles. Despite such support from her peers, the veteran has recorded career lows across major statistical categories this season: 4.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per contest. As the second-longest tenured member of the Liberty roster since 2021, she faces uncertainty about her role moving forward following her return from a knee injury that sidelined her throughout the previous season.