Breanna Stewart is a doubtful starter for the New York Liberty’s Game 2 clash against the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday.
Stewart was in pain after sustaining a knee injury in overtime during Game 1 of the 2025 WNBA playoffs. The star forward was quickly fitted with a brace. Later, it was revealed that she had a precautionary MRI to determine the extent of the injury.
Liberty Get Major Breanna Stewart Injury Update Ahead of Game 2 Showdown
Earlier, Stewart was listed as questionable ahead of the Wednesday showdown at the Barclays Center.
“Breanna Stewart has been designated QUESTIONABLE (L. Knee) for Wednesday’s game 2 against Phoenix. The Liberty lead the best-of-three series 1-0, following Sunday’s overtime win. @Winsidr,” wrote Liberty reporter Myles Ehlrich in his latest tweet.
Breanna Stewart has been designated QUESTIONABLE (L. Knee) for Wednesday’s game 2 against Phoenix. The Liberty lead the best-of-three series 1-0, following Sunday’s overtime win. @Winsidr
— Myles (@MylesEhrlich) September 16, 2025
The three-time WNBA champion appeared to be in excruciating pain after she seemed to land awkwardly when she went for a layup and drew a foul from Mercury’s Satou Sabally.
The latest update comes from the back of Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello, who labeled Stewart a game-time decision. “Obviously, there’s no serious things, but still, she hurt her knee,” Brondello told, per the New York Post. “We’ll see how she feels tomorrow. We’ll give her as much time as we can.”
“Stewie’s in, Stewie’s out, we’re ready to go,” she added. “We know what’s at stake here. We’ve got to be a desperate team and take care. We don’t want to go back to Phoenix, but they’re going to come in hungry. We know that.”
The Liberty mainstay was seen wearing a knee sleeve on Tuesday, but rested from practice. Per the report, she was not made available to the reporters. While her availability will be a major boost for the Liberty, it remains to be seen if she will indeed lace up as NY looks to make it 2-0.
New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart – QUESTIONABLE (Left Knee) said she has an MCL sprain and plans to play in Game 2 against the Phoenix Mercury.#WNBA pic.twitter.com/Od37W8SmXy
— Desert Wave Media (@DesertWaveCo) September 17, 2025
Stewart was sidelined for 13 games during the regular season with a bone bruise on her other knee. Her absence contributed to the Liberty’s struggles on both ends of the floor, but they managed to hold on to the fifth seed and make the playoffs.
The veteran forward is averaging 18.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists this season. She finished Game 1 with 18 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals in just over 39 minutes.
Should she indeed play Game 2, the Liberty will have a dominant two-way presence, and a win will see them make the next round.
