The New York Liberty were cruising through the season with an impressive five-game winning streak when a tragedy pushed one of their best players, Breanna Stewart to the sidelines. After a driving layup resulted in an untoward on-court clash within minutes of the opening quarter, Stewart held on until she couldn’t. While the athlete made an exit within just 3 minutes, so did the Liberty’s hopes of clinching a win against the Sparks.
While medical reports confirmed the players’ leg injury as a tantalizing bone bruise, it brought a surge of sadness in the locker room. After a crushing 101-99 loss sent the Liberty to the end of the losing spectrum, it took the team 3 more games to climb back to the winning end. “She has a right knee bone bruise, and there’s no ligament damage… obviously we escaped major injury there,” Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello said. While the HC focused on prioritizing Stewart’s health ahead of the playoffs, the athlete has different plans altogether.
Talking to the media, Stewart clarified her intentions ahead of the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx game. Teasing an injury return soon, Stewie shared a non-negotiable demand. The Underdog WNBA posted her thoughts on X (Twitter) with a caption that read, “Breanna Stewart on her return to the court: “I’m on the training staff to let me be back, to free me a little bit, but definitely before my birthday, that’s a non-negotiable. I have to be back before my birthday.” Stewart’s birthday is August 27.”
Breanna Stewart on her return to the court:
“I’m on the training staff to let me be back, to free me a little bit, but definitely before my birthday, that’s a non-negotiable. I have to be back before my birthday.”
Stewart’s birthday is August 27.
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) August 10, 2025
A bone bruise is a micro fracture in the bone’s trabecular tissue, where the patient may experience internal bleeding, stiffness and swelling that lasts for weeks. While less painful than a full-blown fracture, a bone bruise can be extremely painful, due to the several nerve-endings in the bone marrow. However, Brondello and the coaching staff were adamant on integrating Stewart back by August-end. “We want to be smart with it. If we can get her back at the end of August, I think that’s great,” Brondello had shared. And now it seems like the athlete too can not wait to return to the active roster.
Despite clawing back with a three-game winning skid, Breanna’s absence has tested the roster’s front court depth. Moreover, it has prompted Jonquel Jones and newcomer Emma Meesseman to step into the roles amidst the ongoing injuries. Having said that, reporter Geoff Magliocchetti further revealed how the Liberty athlete thought that her current injury was her undoing. “Stewart believes her current injury was her “irritating” “something in her knee.” (Feinberg),” Geoff wrote on X.
Whether it was Stewie instigating the damage or not is a different matter altogether. But one thing remains clear. The Liberty roster is reduced to just another team without her direct contributions. Hoping to return to the hardwood on her birthday against the Connecticut Sun, can she ensure a victory run? That remains to be seen. But as Liberty faces their apt contender, Minnesota Lynx, tonight, it will be crucial for the Liberty to gain momentum and continue their winning streak.
Breanna Stewart becomes the latest victim of the WNBA Schedule
“I don’t want to give an excuse of being fatigued because we did have two days off,” Breanna Stewart justified. “I just gotta get my legs back underneath me. Don’t know how I do that with a back-to-back tomorrow, but I’ll figure it out.” The New York Liberty star became the latest victim of the ongoing injuries in the league. The predominant reason? This year’s jam-packed schedules.
While the Liberty faced back-to-back games this season, where Stewart clinched a season low of just 6 points against the Sparks, they are not the only team to do so. Several franchise are facing health issues, primarily because of erratic scheduling. And despite being called out by several members of the league, Cathy Engelbert & Co. continue to run the season unflinchingly.
Besides the Liberty star, several players including Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, Kayla Thornton and Courtney Vandersloot are some of the prominent names who have been sidelined owing to severe injuries this season. And as the teams progress further, teams like Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever are juggling with incomplete rosters already.
Leading with 32-30 against the Lynx in the second quarter, can the team continue their winning streak without Stewart or run down the rabbit hole with a heartbreaking loss in their belt? With a strong veteran presence and a blend of offensive yet defense players, the Liberty has the right recipe to oust the highest standing team in the WNBA rankings so far.
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