Stewart plans to play for Liberty in Game 2 despite left knee sprain
Stewart says structurally the knee is sound and she intends to rejoin New York in the first-round series against Phoenix
Breanna Stewart plans to play for the New York Liberty in Wednesday's first-round Game 2 against the Phoenix Mercury, despite spraining the left MCL during overtime of Game 1 in Phoenix.
Stewart said ahead of the game that she is willing to take the risk because she wants to be out with her teammates. 'I'm willing to take that because I want to be out with my team,' Stewart said. 'And they told me that structurally everything looks good, so my plan is to go.' The injury occurred on an and-one layup in overtime of Game 1's win in Phoenix.
Medical staff evaluated the knee and cleared Stewart to continue playing, with the decision framed by a plan designed to minimize further injury. Stewart noted the risk but said she believes the team’s support and the opportunity to compete are worth it.
New York opened the series with a win in Phoenix, giving the Liberty an early advantage in the first-round matchup. Stewart's high-profile return adds a pivotal piece for a team that relied on depth during the earlier stages of the playoffs, and it places a premium on the medical staff's ongoing evaluation as the series unfolds. The Liberty have not announced any changes to the rotation beyond Stewart's plan to play, and the team will monitor her workload and the knee’s response to action as the series continues.