Toyota Antelopes vs New York Liberty Prediction, Injury Report, Predicted Lineups, Where to Watch, Odds | WNBA Pre-Season 2025

The Toyota Antelopes are set to face the reigning WNBA Champions, the New York Liberty, in their scheduled preseason matchup of the WNBA on May 12. It was an excellent 2024 season for the Liberty squad since they clinched their first-ever WNBA Championship from the clutches of the runner-up Minnesota Lynx. They topped the Eastern Conference rankings after the end of the regular season. Then they faced the Atlanta Dream, Las Vegas Aces, and ultimately the Lynx to mark history. However, it has been a first outing for the Liberty squad after securing the championship.

Their team is injury-prone right now, while they made some offseason changes. This time, New York Liberty will be entering the arena with Natasha Cloud onboard, so that will be worth watching how the equation sets down with a new combination for the 2024 WNBA winners. However, Courtney Vandersloot went to the Chicago Sky, who was a core part of the team's perimeter game on both defense and offense.

The Toyota Antelopes from the Japanese Basketball League have just played against the Dallas Wings about two days ago to get the taste of the level of talent the WNBA ballers display on the court. So they might put up a fight since they are a competitive squad who have a winning record of slightly less than 50%. Yet in terms of the consistency, the Liberty are in more momentum, but they have to gain the required click ahead of the season start on May 16 to make sure that this team can still make it to the WNBA title.

Considering the strength that both teams have, along with their previous outings, we have compiled a preview for the preseason game between the Toyota Antelopes and the New York Liberty. So let's move ahead with it.

Toyota Antelopes vs New York Liberty Game Preview

The Toyota Antelopes had a 13-14 record during the last season of the Japan Basketball League from 2024 to 2025. As per the performance that they showed on the court with their roster, their winning percentage is less than 50%. Antelopes made 30.7 rebounds per game and 66.7 points per game. But Liberty is on a whole different level since they maintained an 80% winning percentage in the 2024 season, and if they go on with the same mindset in the upcoming preseason game as well, it will be trouble for the Antelopes squad.

Coming off a WNBA Championship, the New York Liberty went 32-8 in the 2024 WNBA season. It was a pure class performance from Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu since they tallied 20.4 points and 18.2 points throughout the season, respectively. In addition, there were other notable honorable mentions as well, like Jonquel Jones, Courtney Vandersloot, and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton. With the experience of perfect combos on the roster, the New York Liberty did not need much rebuilding, and they did the same during the 2025 offseason.

In the 2025 draft, they got a late pick, Adja Kane, as center from France, while they have maintained the core players. Last season, the average points per game for the reigning champions was 85.6 points, in addition to their 36.6 rebounds per game and 22.8 assists per game. With an offensive rating of 109.6 in the 2024 season, the New York squad is ready to assert dominance once again.

Toyota Antelopes vs New York Liberty Injury Report

As of now, there are no reports regarding any major player sitting out in the Toyota Antelopes before the preseason matchup. However, the New York Liberty is lagging behind with doubts about two key players, along with new additions and re-signings. Apparently, the bench strength for the Liberty team looks weak ahead of the preseason matchup on May 12. Here is an injury report for both the Toyota Antelopes and the Dallas Wings ahead of the preseason showdown.

Toyota Antelopes Injury Report

There is no report of the Toyota Antelopes being involved in any injury, and therefore, all of them are expected to be healthy before the match with the New York Liberty. Unless they play a harsh physical game against the Wings players, the Antelopes players might arrive safely for the next preseason fixture against Liberty.

New York Liberty Injury Report

The New York Liberty injury report includes their top-tier players like Betnijah Laney-Hamilton and Breanna Stewart. Moreover, Raquel Carrera, Rebekah Gardner, and Seehia Ridard are also out due to injuries. Shedding light on the condition of these players, Stewart is monitored on a day-to-day basis and is participating on a limited basis with the team, as per media reports. Her knee issue is not resolved yet. Meanwhile, team GM Jonathan Kolb clearly stated on May 3 that the Liberty will likely suspend(knee injury) Laney-Hamilton's contract for the 2025 season.

Gardner is out for the whole season while she is still recovering from the ACL injury after signing the training camp contract. However, Raquel and Seehia have not revealed why they are not available for the game and have cited personal reasons for their absence from the upcoming games until further notice. So if Stewart steps on the court, the Liberty still have an upper hand with a limping squad missing some big names.

Predicted Lineups

In the upcoming game between the Toyota Antelopes and the New York Liberty, the mentioned teams are expected to present the following starting lineups for their preseason game at the Matthew Knight Arena, considering their new additions and injury reports from the team:

Toyota Antelopes Predicted Lineups

There is not much information around the best starting five that the Toyota Antelopes have right now. However, there are chances that the Japanese Basketball league will step in with the following starting five during the Sunday game:

New York Liberty Predicted Lineups

The New York Liberty might test their young guns since the senior player combo for the squad is injured. So if the Liberty are playing safe, they might present with a different squad. Otherwise, they will replace Laney-Hamilton and go all out with their last season's starting five to make sure that the roster goes all in for a victory from the start without any mercy. Therefore, the team can come up with the following starting five on Tuesday against the Antelopes:

Where to Watch Toyota Antelopes vs New York Liberty

For the basketball enthusiasts around the world who want to witness this preseason matchup between the Toyota Antelopes of the Japan Basketball League and reigning champions New York Liberty of the Women's National Basketball Association, here are the details about the matchup along with the channels and platforms where this preseason game will be broadcasted.

Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2025

Venue: Matthew Knight Arena, Eugene, Oregon, United States

TV Channel: WWOR-My9, Liberty Live (Livestream)

Stream: WNBA League Pass

Toyota Antelopes vs New York Liberty Prediction: Who Will Win?

There is no head-to-head record for the Toyota Antelopes and New York Liberty since they have not clashed horns like this in the past. However, considering the record that Antelopes displayed in the Japan Basketball League as per Asia Basket, they don't stand a chance against the experienced Liberty team. Their winning record was less than 50% with 13 wins out of 28 games. Also, they are relying on individual players rather than teamwork, with players like Shiori Yasuma, averaging 11.2 points and 5.5 assists, while Amaka Okonkwo, tallying 9 points and 8.3 rebounds in the 2024-25 season.

On the other hand, the New York Liberty had a ball last season with their sharp choices on the squad. They won 32 games out of 40 games in the regular season and swept the Atlanta Dream in the playoffs. The only thing that can keep them down right now is the availability of key players, out of which 2 are out of the equation right now, but Stewart has a chance. Even with clipped wings, the Liberty team looks strong with their bench strength and retention of players with potential to perform on the court.

Our Prediction: Toyota Antelopes 78-108 New York Liberty

New York Liberty wins by 30 points

Toyota Antelopes vs New York Liberty Betting Odds

The New York Liberty looks stronger when it comes to the professional record. But the Antelopes can also put up a fight if they pull up their A game throughout the four quarters without any falter. It might push the Liberty on the back foot, considering they cannot dominate in the absence of key players, although their young guns can turn the tables. Coming to the betting odds for the Toyota Antelopes vs New York Liberty fixture, it seems the Liberty will win, relying on the following probable odds:

Odds: Wings by 29.5
Over/Under: 175.5
Moneyline: Liberty -190 | Antelopes +230