New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart’s status is uncertain for Game 2 of the team’s first-round series against the Phoenix Mercury after she suffered an apparent left leg injury in overtime of New York’s 76-69 win on Sunday.
Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said after the victory that Stewart would undergo an evaluation “soon,” but did not have immediate specifics postgame regarding the severity of the injury. Game 2 of the series is Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET in Brooklyn.
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Stewart sustained the injury with 3:01 remaining in overtime when she attempted a driving layup on the left baseline. She made the shot and also got fouled. When she landed on the court, she appeared to grimace and immediately grabbed at her left knee. Stewart remained in the game for an additional 54 seconds. According to Brondello, Stewart asked to be subbed out with New York leading by seven points.
“We’ll just be hoping that she’ll be OK,” Brondello said.
The Liberty have not released an injury report ahead of Wednesday’s game, although they are expected to practice Tuesday.
Stewart missed 13 games this season because of a bone bruise on her right knee. She also underwent surgery on her right knee in March after the conclusion of Unrivaled, the winter 3×3 professional league she co-founded. Before her absence this summer, Stewart had only missed two games since signing with the Liberty in 2023.
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The Liberty dealt with numerous injuries to key players throughout the season, using 18 different starting lineups. New York opened the year 9-0 before going 18-17 in its remaining 35 games.
Should Stewart be sidelined, or even limited Wednesday, expect more minutes for forward Emma Meesseman. The 2019 WNBA Finals MVP and a two-time All-Star, Meesseman returned to the WNBA this August after a three-year hiatus. She started 12 games over the final six weeks of the season, with all but two of them coming when Stewart was sidelined.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury, WNBA
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