Breanna Stewart a game-time decision for Liberty in Game 2 after left knee MRI comes back “relatively clean”
Coach Sandy Brondello says Stewart did not practice Tuesday but MRI results offer optimism for the defending champion’s playoff availability
Breanna Stewart will be a game-time decision for Wednesday’s Game 2 of the New York Liberty’s first-round WNBA playoff series against the Phoenix Mercury after undergoing an MRI on her left knee that coach Sandy Brondello described as "relatively clean." Brondello said Tuesday that Stewart did not take part in practice as the team prepared to travel to Phoenix.
Stewart suffered the left-knee injury with 3:01 remaining in overtime of Game 1, when her knee appeared to buckle as she rose for an and-1 layup. ESPN’s television broadcast later showed Stewart on the bench in tears after she had been subbed out. The Liberty won Game 1 in Phoenix on Sept. 14, 2025.
Stewart, 31, was the team’s top performer in Game 1, finishing with 18 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals while posting a team-best plus-16 in 39:54 of playing time. Her potential absence would be significant for the Liberty, who are the two-time defending WNBA champions and entered the postseason relying on Stewart as a primary scoring and defensive presence.
Brondello said the MRI taken Monday produced encouraging results but did not guarantee Stewart would play. "Her imaging came back relatively clean," Brondello told reporters Tuesday, adding that Stewart would be evaluated again before tipoff. Reporter Madeline Kenney tweeted that Stewart "didn’t participate in practice today and will be a game-time decision."
The injury to Stewart’s left knee comes on the heels of an extended absence earlier in the season related to her right knee. Stewart missed 13 regular-season games because of a bone bruise on the right knee and underwent a "cleanup" procedure in March before the WNBA season began.
With Game 2 set for Wednesday, the Liberty face the immediate scheduling question of whether their franchise star will be available for a pivotal road contest in the best-of-three opening-round series. New York’s ability to advance will hinge on contributions from its supporting players if Stewart cannot play, while her presence would bolster the Liberty’s chances of defending their title.
The Liberty and Mercury will finalize their lineups closer to tipoff, and the teams will not disclose additional medical details beyond the coaching staff’s updates. Stewart’s status will be monitored by team medical staff and will be subject to league injury protocols as the postseason continues.
If Stewart is cleared to play, she would rejoin a Liberty unit that leaned on her production throughout the regular season and playoffs. If she is held out, New York will need increased scoring and defensive activity from veterans and role players who saw varied minutes behind Stewart during the season.
The Liberty will update Stewart’s status as game time approaches. The Mercury, who dropped Game 1 at home, will look to level the series in Game 2 before the teams conclude the opening round.