Stewart plays through knee sprain as Liberty face elimination game after 86-60 loss to Mercury

Breanna Stewart played through a left knee MCL sprain in Game 2 as the Liberty were routed 86-60 by the Phoenix Mercury at Barclays Center, setting up an elimination game Friday. Stewart, who disclosed the injury after Game 1 in Phoenix, logged 20 minutes, scored six points with two rebounds and two assists and three turnovers while wearing a brace. The two-time MVP said she felt pretty good about the outing and emphasized the performance largely represented a mental barrier more than a physical one. "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."

Stewart’s presence drew attention, but Phoenix largely exploited the lane, piling up 38 points in the paint to New York’s 22.

Sabrina Ionescu had a rough shooting night, finishing with nine points on 3-for-13 from the field and 1-for-8 beyond the arc. In the first quarter she was fouled on a 3-pointer by Monique Akoa Makani and missed all three free throws, silencing the home crowd. She also went 2-for-6 at the line for the night. Asked about the performance, Ionescu was brief: "I’m all right. I’m never going to use anything as an excuse. I’ll be better on Friday."

The loss left the Liberty with a must-win scenario in the series’ next game. Stewart acknowledged the challenge of playing through the injury while facing a Phoenix squad that was energized by a comfortable margin and aggressive in ball-screen action. "Everybody’s tired. Everybody’s hurt. Everybody’s got something bothering them and playing through that," she said. "I wanted to be there for my team, and I didn’t play the way that I wanted to, but I’m excited for another chance. Our backs are against the wall just as theirs [are], so everyone can leave it out on the line."

With Friday’s Game 3 on the horizon, New York will need more efficient shooting from Ionescu and improved execution around Stewart if they are to extend the series. The Liberty will also hope that Stewart’s knee responds positively to another ramp-up and that the discomfort does not worsen as the series intensifies.