Natasha Cloud has been keeping up with nearly every WNBA preseason game, except for missing the Dream’s 80-70 victory over the Mystics due to a practice session.

The more she watches, the more excited she gets to suit up for the Liberty for the first time. 

“I’m itching,” Cloud said. 

But Cloud and the rest of her Liberty teammates will have to wait a few more days for that to happen. 

The Liberty are scheduled to open their two-game preseason slate Friday at Barclays Center against the Connecticut Sun.

Breanna Stewart is not expected to participate in the preseason opener as she is still gradually increasing her workload. However, she is anticipated to make her preseason debut on Monday night when the Liberty take on the Toyota Antelopes from the Women’s Japan Basketball League in Eugene, Oregon.

The Liberty, though, are the only WNBA team that has yet to play a preseason game. 

Coach Sandy Brondello said the Liberty’s late preseason opener was not strategically planned, but rather the result of the Barclays Center schedule. 

Coach Brondello expressed, “Sometimes circumstances are beyond our control. This game marks our first home game, as we previously faced challenges in securing arena availability. Despite our preference to have played earlier, we have to accept the situation as it stands.”

The Liberty have been doing their best to simulate five-on-five play with their all-men practice squad. But it’s nothing compared to playing an actual game against an outside opponent. 

Jonquel Jones, though, welcomes the additional practice. She said it’s especially beneficial for the newcomers and those who are competing for some of the final roster spots. 

“It also gives the people that are trying to make a spot on the team a chance to kind of show themselves,” Jones said, “and have more practices under their wing, to get comfortable and really get into who they are individually and what they bring to the team that’s unique.” 

Cloud believes more teams should push back preseason games, citing player health concerns. 

“I can’t believe that we would ever schedule a preseason game a week [into] the training camp,” Cloud said. “It’s reckless for our bodies. Shoutout to those teams that did it, but I think we need at least a week and a half to prep for preseason. So I don’t know if that means we start earlier. I don’t know if that means they add time. We keep adding games, but we’re not extending the schedule.” 

The Liberty are set to embark on their 2024 title defense when they host the Las Vegas Aces on May 17 at Barclays Center.