
WNBA
New York Liberty ahead Breanna Stewart’s standing is unsure for Sport 2 of the workforce’s first-round collection in opposition to the Phoenix Mercury after she suffered an obvious left leg damage in time beyond regulation of New York’s 76-69 win on Sunday.
Liberty coach Sandy Brondello stated after the victory that Stewart would endure an analysis “quickly,” however didn’t have speedy specifics postgame relating to the severity of the damage. Sport 2 of the collection is Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET in Brooklyn.
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Stewart had an MRI on Monday that got here again “comparatively clear,” in line with Brondello.
She sat out of Tuesday’s follow.
Stewart sustained the damage with 3:01 remaining in time beyond regulation when she tried a driving layup on the left baseline. She made the shot and likewise bought fouled. When she landed on the court docket, she appeared to grimace and instantly grabbed at her left knee. Stewart remained within the recreation for a further 54 seconds. In line with Brondello, Stewart requested to be subbed out with New York main by seven factors.
Stewart missed 13 video games this season due to a bone bruise on her proper knee. She additionally underwent surgical procedure on her proper knee in March after the conclusion of Unmatched, the winter 3×3 skilled league she co-founded. Earlier than her absence this summer time, Stewart had solely missed two video games since signing with the Liberty in 2023.
“We’re able to go. Stewie’s in. Stewie’s out. We’re able to go. We all know what’s at stake,” Brondello stated. “We don’t need to return to Phoenix, however they’re going to come back in hungry. We all know that.”
Stewart was current at follow and didn’t seem like sporting a knee brace; nevertheless, within the portion of follow open to the media, she stood to the aspect of the court docket with workforce staffers and appeared to stroll gingerly.
The Liberty handled quite a few accidents to key gamers all through the season, utilizing 18 completely different beginning lineups. New York opened the yr 9-0 earlier than going 18-17 in its remaining 35 video games.
“That’s been our MO all season,” Jones stated of the accidents.
Ought to Stewart be sidelined and even restricted Wednesday, anticipate extra minutes for ahead Kennedy Burke. Burke was seen practising with the starters throughout the open portion of follow on Tuesday. Burke performed in 36 video games this season, beginning 9. She averaged 8.1 factors, 2.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists per recreation.
(Picture: Michael Hirschuber / Getty Photos)
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Ben Pickman is a employees author for The Athletic masking the WNBA and girls’s school basketball. Beforehand, he was a author at Sports activities Illustrated the place he primarily coated ladies’s basketball and the NBA. He has additionally labored at CNN Sports activities and the Wisconsin Heart for Journalism Ethics. Observe Ben on Twitter @benpickman