Breanna Stewart’s early exit from Saturday’s 101-99 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks cast immediate doubt on the New York Liberty’s title ambitions. The two-time MVP had anchored a five-game win streak and entered the game averaging 19 points per night, until a lower leg issue forced her out just minutes in.
A crucial update from WNBA insider Madeline Kenney sheds light on her condition and what it means for the Liberty’s road ahead.
What Do Medical Tests Reveal About Breanna Stewart’s Injury Status?
According to New York Post reporter Madeline Kenney, Stewart underwent imaging on her right leg following her early exit on Saturday night. Encouragingly, the scans ruled out any significant injury. While the Liberty plan to be cautious, sources told The Post that Stewart will remain with the team during their four-game road trip.
“Breanna Stewart had imaging done on her right leg which showed she avoided significant injury after exiting last night’s game, sources told The Post. She’ll be with the Liberty on this four-game road trip, but the team plans to give her time to fully recover,” Kenney reported, citing league sources.
Breanna Stewart had imaging done on her right leg which showed she avoided significant injury after exiting last night’s game, sources told The Post.
She’ll be with the Liberty on this four-game road trip, but the team plans to give her time to fully recover.
— Madeline Kenney (@madkenney) July 27, 2025
The update relieves fans who watched the three-time WNBA champion leave the court in visible discomfort after a seemingly innocuous play.
The incident occurred with just under four minutes gone in the first quarter. Stewart had just completed a pick-and-roll sequence with Sabrina Ionescu, missed a contested layup, and was retreating on defense when she abruptly signaled to the bench and exited.
Breanna Stewart was been ruled out for the rest of the game with what the Liberty are calling a lower leg injury.
She exited the court after this play in the first quarter. pic.twitter.com/hXZQHY1vWY
— espnW (@espnW) July 27, 2025
There was no visible contact or fall, adding to the mystery and concern. Stewart favored her right leg, the same side that required meniscus surgery during the offseason. Given her history of Achilles and knee injuries, even a minor issue raised significant red flags.
The Liberty eventually ruled her out for the remainder of the game with what they termed a lower leg injury, offering no further details at the time.
How Does Stewart’s Injury Fit Into This Season’s Troubling Pattern?
While Stewart appears to have avoided the worst, her injury scare is just the latest in a season marred by health setbacks for several marquee players. Caitlin Clark has missed time intermittently, A’ja Wilson has battled through injury, and DiJonai Carrington and Arike Ogunbowale have had spells on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, veteran guard Courtney Vandersloot suffered a devastating, season-ending ACL tear in her right knee, a blow to both her team and the league’s star power.
Until Saturday, Stewart was one of the few elite players to remain consistently healthy throughout the 2025 season. She played every game for the Liberty this year, averaging 18.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, while anchoring the team on both ends.
Her leadership has helped the Liberty to a 17-7 record, which places them second in the league standings and makes them a legitimate title contender once again.
Even without her for the remainder of Saturday’s game, the Liberty nearly pulled off a comeback. They eventually fell 101-99, snapping their five-game winning streak, but not without a fight. Ionescu’s late-game heroics tied the score with under 25 seconds to play, before the Sparks’ Rickea Jackson clinched the win with a buzzer-beating layup.
What Challenges Await the Liberty During This Critical Road Trip?
Though Stewart will travel with the team, it’s still unclear when she’ll return to the court. The Liberty are heading into a tough stretch with five of their next six games on the road, including three against the Dallas Wings, two against the Connecticut Sun, and one against the Minnesota Lynx.
In that context, Stewart’s availability could significantly impact the team’s playoff positioning. However, the Liberty can breathe a little easier knowing the medical tests revealed no serious structural damage. Stewart’s recovery now becomes a matter of timing and caution, something the team will manage carefully during this demanding stretch.
New York’s championship aspirations remain alive, and their franchise player is expected to return sooner rather than later.
