Liberty’s Breanna Stewart feels ‘pretty good’ after playing through knee sprain as elimination looms
Stewart, who disclosed an MCL sprain in her left knee, played 20 minutes and said she felt 'pretty good' as New York prepares for Game 3 against Phoenix
New York Liberty are on the brink of elimination after an 86-60 loss to the Phoenix Mercury at Barclays Center. Breanna Stewart, who disclosed on Wednesday that she is playing through an MCL sprain in her left knee suffered in Game 1 in Phoenix, logged 20 minutes and finished with six points, two rebounds, two assists and three turnovers. Wearing a brace on the knee, she said the test was more mental than physical, and she described feeling 'pretty good' about where she stood heading into another must-win game on Friday.
Stewart said she understood she would be targeted and tested on the floor as Phoenix loaded the paint and used high ball screens against her. "I was able to see how I felt," she said. "I look forward to try really letting loose. I think you could tell that they wanted to run the high ball screen on me and really see how that went. And it worked with them today, but we’ll be ready for it." She added that while the knee would likely be sore as the night wore on, she wasn’t in pain and was encouraged by her movement and the team’s fight.
Phoenix dominated inside, outscoring New York in the paint, 38-22, a contrast that highlighted the challenge Stewart faces while playing through the injury and the efficiency of the Mercury around the rim.
Sabrina Ionescu also struggled from the field, finishing with nine points on 3-for-13 shooting and 1-for-8 from three, while going 2-for-6 at the free-throw line after being fouled on a 3-pointer in the first quarter that silenced the Barclays Center crowd. Asked about the rough night, Ionescu was blunt: "I’m all right. I’m never going to use anything as an excuse. I’ll be better on Friday."
Her night echoed the kind of playoff shooting slump that has haunted her at times. The loss left the Liberty needing a stronger all-around effort to force a decisive Game 3 against a Mercury squad that looked to control the game in the paint and pace.
With Friday’s game looming, New York will lean on Stewart’s health and Ionescu’s willingness to bounce back as they try to extend the series. The Liberty have to defend better, pick up the pace, and protect the ball while managing the knee’s response to a high-intensity elimination game.
