New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart is questionable for the second game of the WNBA playoff series against the Phoenix Mercury. This was confirmed by coach Sandy Brondello after Tuesday’s practice. Stewart suffered a left knee injury during the first game, which the Liberty won in overtime to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series. Although Stewart attended Tuesday’s training, he did not participate. He was walking without visibly limping and was wearing a gray compression sleeve on his left leg. Brondello informed the media that the tests performed on Stewart’s knee yielded “relatively clean” results, but did not offer specific details about the injury.
With just over 3 minutes left in overtime, Stewart received a pass in the corner. She got past Alyssa Thomas of the Mercury on the baseline, planted her left leg, and finished a layup over two Phoenix defenders. Satou Sabally fouled her on the play. As she went up, she already seemed to be grimacing. After falling to the ground, she grabbed her left knee, in obvious pain. Her teammates Leonie Fiebich and Sabrina Ionescu helped Stewart get up, and she was able to walk on her own. She missed the free throw and remained in the game. After approximately one minute of play, Stewart asked for a substitution. He left the court at minute 2:07 and did not return. He finished the first game with 18 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Stewart missed 13 games earlier this season due to a bone contusion in his right knee. Ionescu downplayed the challenge of preparing for the second match amid uncertainty about Stewart’s availability.She’s tough. I think one of her superpowers is her mental strength, so if she can play, she will play.
Sandy Brondello, coach
The Liberty have suffered injuries throughout the season. Forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton injured her knee during the preseason and missed the entire season. Center Jonquel Jones has missed 13 games this season. Ionescu, Fiebich, and Cloud have also missed some games.Just like we’ve approached all the games this year. It’s nothing new for us, to be completely honest. We are well-equipped. I think the regular season really prepared us for this moment, and we have to control the things we can and go out there and win on our court.
Sabrina Ionescu
Stewart, a two-time WNBA MVP, leads the Liberty in points per game (18.3), blocks per game (1.4), and steals per game (1.4). She is second in rebounds with 6.6 per game.I think that has been the tone of our season this year, simply facing adversity. I think we have done a very good job of staying together and learning from it.
Jonquel Jones
