Breanna Stewart’s Journey Back to Form
In Washington, it’s a common sight to see Liberty players hanging around after practice, shooting hoops. Breanna Stewart is one of those players who often sticks around, putting in extra work on her game.
Wednesday was no exception. Stewart continued to shoot, pushing the limits, and, interestingly enough, she seemed to make more than she missed according to her eyes. Yet, every so often, assistant coach Olaf Lange would step in, reminding her about the fundamentals of shooting. It’s all about those fluid movements and how her feet need to align with the rest of her body during a shot.
At 30, Stewart has been refining her shooting mechanics for over 20 years. Still, even seasoned players can benefit from revisiting the basics, especially after dealing with injuries.
“I just want to ensure that my lower body gets into it and keeps the flow,” Stewart shared. “It’s essential to focus on that, especially when getting back into the rhythm of shooting.”
Back in mid-March, she underwent a minor procedure on her right meniscus. She later mentioned that the injury happened during the WNBA Finals. So, during training camp, it took her some time to ramp up her play following that “cleanup” surgery.
Stewart is impressive on defense and is known to be a dynamic finisher for the Liberty, currently reaching the free-throw line at a career-high rate of 7.4 attempts per game.
However, her three-point percentage has been a struggle this season. She’s hitting just 18.2% from deep, marking her lowest conversion rate from three in her WNBA career so far.
Still, coach Sandy Brondello isn’t overly worried about Stewart’s shooting slump. “She’s putting in the effort,” Brondello noted. “Sure, some shots haven’t fallen, but when she drives to the basket, she looks good—it’s all about finding that balance.”
Stewart acknowledges the challenges she’s faced. She noted that a recent stretch of four games in six days tested her body. She referred to it as a “big test” to gauge how well her body could handle quick recoveries.
In a memorable game against the Mystic, she scored 27 points while drawing 16 fouls, playing a crucial role in leading the team to victory. But in their recent matchup, Stewart struggled, going 10-for-3 with only 10 points and 7 rebounds.
For the moment, her shooting woes aren’t too concerning, especially given it’s early in the season. The Liberty boasts several players with strong shooting percentages, so even if Stewart is averaging less than one three-pointer per game, the team remains at the top of the league in both three-pointers made and shooting percentage.
With teammates like Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones, there are plenty of options on the court that help mask Stewart’s shooting challenges. Still, she’s confident about finding her rhythm again. “I understand the depth of our team and how we work together. No matter the situation, there’s a shared belief in making the right choices,” Stewart reflected. “I know I’m not converting as much as I’d like, but I trust that I’ll get there as the season progresses.”
Feeling good about her recovery, Stewart commented on pushing through the tougher phases. “The recovery is part of getting back into the game, especially with quick turnarounds,” she said. “I’m feeling really good right now—it’s incredible to feel like myself again.”
