Liberty Lose Star Forward Nyara Sabally in WNBA Expansion Draft

Sabally heads to new Tempo franchise after two seasons with the Liberty

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:25pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented WNBA basketball game, with sharp planes of color representing the competing teams and the dynamic action on the court.The WNBA expansion draft forces the Liberty to part ways with a key player, exposing the challenges of retaining top talent as the league continues to grow.NYC Today

The New York Liberty have lost star forward Nyara Sabally in the 2026 WNBA expansion draft, with Sabally being selected by the new Tempo franchise. Sabally had been a key part of the Liberty roster since joining the team in 2022, bringing professionalism and a team-first mentality to the locker room.

Why it matters

The loss of Sabally is a significant blow to the Liberty, who have relied on her production and leadership over the past two seasons. As the WNBA continues to expand, teams must navigate the challenges of retaining top talent in the face of new franchise opportunities.

The details

Nyara Sabally was selected by the Tempo franchise in the 2026 WNBA expansion draft, ending her two-year tenure with the New York Liberty. Sabally had emerged as a valuable two-way player for the Liberty, contributing on both ends of the floor.

  • Nyara Sabally joined the New York Liberty in 2022.
  • Sabally was selected by the Tempo franchise in the 2026 WNBA expansion draft.

The players

Nyara Sabally

A star forward who played for the New York Liberty for the past two seasons.

Tempo

The new WNBA franchise that selected Nyara Sabally in the 2026 expansion draft.

New York Liberty

The WNBA team that Nyara Sabally played for prior to being selected by the Tempo franchise.

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The takeaway

The loss of Nyara Sabally is a significant setback for the New York Liberty, who will need to find a way to replace her production and leadership on the court. As the WNBA continues to expand, teams must be prepared to navigate the challenges of retaining top talent.