Liberty faced yet another injury concern just three games after welcoming back Jonquel Jones.
Only four days post her return from an ankle injury, the team had to watch as Breanna Stewart exited the game with a lower leg issue just before the end of the first quarter on Saturday.
The injury cast a shadow on a recent five-game winning streak that had helped the team bounce back from a rough June. In a thrilling 101-99 win against Los Angeles, they held their breath as Riquna Williams made a critical play just before the horn sounded.
Stewart, who has been steady this season with an average of 19 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, hadn’t missed a game until now. She underwent knee surgery in March following last season but maintained her place in the lineup despite the challenges faced by other key players like Sabrina Ionescu and Nyara Sabally.
Liberty might need to exercise caution with Stewart moving forward.
With a demanding schedule ahead, including a four-game road trip starting in Dallas, the team is trying to balance player minutes. Head coach Sandy Brondello has been mindful of Stewart’s workload, opting to reduce playing time for all starters while integrating new addition Stephanie Talbot and managing Emma Meesseman’s visa situation.
Fortunately, Liberty managed to adapt on the fly during the game.
Throughout the first half, the Sparks racked up 58 points, while Liberty shot at 45.2% from the field. However, some defensive issues resurfaced that had seemed to vanish with Jones’ return.
Despite an early three-pointer from the Sparks, Liberty managed to rally. Ionescu led the charge with 30 points, Natasha Cloud contributed 22, and Jones added 14.
It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that the game started to shift. After scoring 17 points in the first half, Ionescu played a crucial role in tying the game at 95. However, after Jackson converted a play on the other end, Ionescu couldn’t capitalize on a final opportunity.
