Betnijah Laney-Hamilton faces long recovery after knee surgery
- Betnijah Laney-Hamilton had surgery on her left knee to repair an acute meniscus injury.
- She is projected to be out for five to six months, which affects her participation in the upcoming season.
- Despite Laney-Hamilton's absence, the Liberty maintain a solid lineup with key players added during the offseason.
In New York, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, a guard for the Liberty, has undergone surgery on her left knee to address an acute meniscus injury. The procedure was carried out at the Hospital for Special Surgery earlier this month. Following this, she is expected to be out for a recovery period of five to six months, which will significantly affect her availability for the upcoming season. Laney-Hamilton had recently participated in two games in a new league, Unrivaled, before the injury took place. This is particularly disappointing as she had just returned to the game following a minor procedure on her right knee last July, which sidelined her for about six weeks. During her time last season, Laney-Hamilton delivered impressive stats, averaging 11.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists across 28 games, contributing to the Liberty’s success that culminated in their first WNBA championship. Despite her absence, the Liberty appears to have a strong roster for the season ahead. Moreover, they have re-signed Marine Johannes and acquired Natasha Cloud during the offseason, which strengthens their lineup. Meanwhile, preparations and adjustments will need to consider Laney-Hamilton's recovery timeline. Her impact on the team has been significant, having been drafted in 2015 and playing for various teams before joining the Liberty in 2021. The injury has raised concerns within the organization, but they remain optimistic about their roster depth and ability to contend in the league regardless of Laney-Hamilton's situation.