Breanna Stewart Returns with Power: Leads Liberty to Victory
Liberty star Breanna Stewart has returned to action after being out for a month due to a bone bruise in her right knee. Her return was triumphant, scoring 19 crucial points to secure her team’s victory against Connecticut, with a final score of 81-79 on Monday night. This game marked Stewart’s return after missing 13 games. The player expressed her enthusiasm for returning to the court and her desire to play more minutes, demonstrating her commitment to the team.Stewart played a little over 20 minutes, the limit set before the game. She emphasized the importance of her return for the team’s push towards the playoffs, highlighting the time dedicated to recovery and working with the training staff. Sabrina Ionescu, who also missed Saturday’s game due to a foot injury, also participated in the match against the Sun, making a key block that sealed the victory. This return of Ionescu adds to the team’s momentum. The last time Stewart had played was July 26. During her absence, the Liberty had a 5-8 record, which led them to fifth place in the standings with a 22-15 record. Coach Sandy Brondello confirmed that Stewart had a minutes restriction in Monday’s game. The team started the season with an impressive 9-0 record, but injuries have affected their performance since then. Jonquel Jones also suffered an ankle injury and was out for more than a month. In the current season, Stewart averages 18.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game, demonstrating his impact on both sides of the court. Stewart had announced his intention to return for his 31st birthday. The current champions have seven games remaining in the regular season. Natasha Cloud (nose) and Isabelle Harrison (concussion protocol) were out of Monday night’s game. Brondello reported after the game that Cloud suffered a slight fracture in her nose.I felt great. I wanted to push myself to the max when I was on the court. It was great to be back with the team.
Breanna Stewart
