New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart underwent an MRI and additional testing on Monday to evaluate a left knee injury she sustained during Sunday’s 76-69 win over the Phoenix Mercury in Game 1 of their first-round WNBA playoff series, sources told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
The injury occurred in overtime with just over three minutes remaining, when Stewart drove to the basket against Phoenix defenders Satou Sabally and DeWanna Bonner. She appeared to grimace during the attempt, and after landing, immediately clutched her left knee in pain.
Though she briefly stayed in the game, Stewart soon asked to be subbed out due to discomfort, according to Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello. On the bench, Stewart was visibly distressed, holding her knee with tears in her eyes. Brondello did not offer a postgame update, saying only, “We’re just hoping she’ll be OK.” Stewart had finished with 18 points.
Earlier in the season, Stewart missed 13 games due to a bone bruise in her right knee and had arthroscopic surgery on the same knee in March.
Despite losing Stewart late in the game, the Liberty managed to pull out a crucial win, stealing home-court advantage from Phoenix. Natasha Cloud, a former Mercury player, sparked New York late in the fourth quarter with back-to-back layups, giving the Liberty a brief lead. Phoenix responded with free throws from Kahleah Copper and a fast-break layup assisted by Alyssa Thomas, putting the Mercury up 65-63 with under two minutes to play.
Stewart answered with a clutch basket in the lane 13 seconds later, sending the game into overtime.
“We’ve been in that situation before,” said Sabrina Ionescu. “We knew we had another gear. I’m proud of how we stuck together and battled through their runs to get the win.”
Cloud opened the overtime period with a three-pointer that kicked off an 8-0 Liberty run. Though Phoenix cut the lead to four, Leonie Fiebich — who scored 10 points — nailed a key three-pointer to secure the victory.
“She missed a few earlier, but I knew she’d hit the one that mattered most,” Ionescu said of Fiebich. “That’s who she is — one of the best three-point shooters in the world.”
