The New York Liberty had momentum, riding a five-game winning streak into Los Angeles and holding the league’s second-best record. But less than four minutes into their Saturday, July 26, matchup against the Los Angeles Sparks, fans were left holding their breath as Breanna Stewart, one of the WNBA’s biggest stars, abruptly signaled to the bench and exited the court.
The sequence looked routine at first, but within moments, it became clear that something was wrong. And while details are still scarce, the initial signs were enough to send a jolt of worry through the WNBA.
Breanna Stewart Ruled Out With Lower Leg Injury After Just Three Minutes
The Liberty were barely three minutes into their matchup against the Sparks when Stewart signaled for a substitution, after no visible contact or fall.
The play that preceded her exit was routine: She set a screen for Sabrina Ionescu, rolled to the rim, received a crisp pocket pass, and missed a contested layup.
She appeared fine until she crossed halfcourt on defense, then abruptly pulled up, hopped slightly on her left leg, and motioned toward the bench. The Liberty later ruled Stewart out for the rest of the game with what they termed a lower-leg injury but gave no additional details.
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
It was noted that Stewart favored her right leg, which had previously been the site of a meniscus surgery during the past offseason. She also has a history of serious Achilles injuries, adding more weight to even minor-looking setbacks.
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At the time of her departure, the Liberty trailed 11-9. Stewart had logged three points and a rebound in the short span she played. The timing of Stewart’s injury couldn’t be more unfortunate.
She had not missed a single game this season, entering Saturday averaging 19.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists while anchoring both ends of the floor for a Liberty team sitting at 17–7, the second-best record in the WNBA. Her presence has been foundational to New York’s recent five-game win streak, which the Sparks snapped in a 101–99 thriller.
Stewart’s medical history undoubtedly looms large, especially with her favoring the same leg on which the aforementioned offseason meniscus surgery was performed. While the team has yet to confirm if the current issue is related, the context heightens the stakes. The Liberty is heading into a travel-heavy portion of its schedule, playing five of its next six games on the road.
Sparks Snap Liberty’s Five-Game Streak With Clutch Finish
Without Stewart, the Liberty pushed the Sparks to the limit but ultimately fell by two points in a tightly contested finish. Ionescu tied the game 99–99 with a clutch 16-foot jumper with just 24.5 seconds remaining. But it was Sparks’ Rickea Jackson who sealed the win with a last-second layup.
RICKEA JACKSON FOR THE WIN!!! @iamthathooper x @WNBA pic.twitter.com/5PBWX8XHuT
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) July 27, 2025
Jackson finished with a team-high 24 points, three rebounds, and two assists. Ionescu posted a game-high 30 points, along with eight rebounds, six assists and four steals in a valiant effort that fell just short.
The Sparks improved to 11–14, while the Liberty saw their five-game win streak snapped on a night that may have longer-term implications depending on Stewart’s diagnosis.
