Breanna Stewart of the Liberty Star was definitely on her game Tuesday, not letting a late night out during her gala debut with teammates Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones, and owner Clara U Tsai, slow her down.
Despite being up until 2 AM, she was up at 7 AM to take her daughter Ruby to school before heading to the Barclays Center. There, she got the okay to practice and stepped into more live play.
Tuesday’s training session marked a positive move forward for the two-time league MVP as the team gears up for their preseason opener against the Connecticut Sun on Friday.
Stewart’s early return from her first intense practice went well.
“It’s really good to have one of the best players back,” mentioned coach Sandy Brondello. “The way she moves with and without the ball is impressive.”
The Liberty has been cautious with Stewart’s rehab after she underwent knee clean-up procedures in March.
Stewart originally hurt her knee during a Game 5 championship win last October, which led to some ongoing issues throughout the following season. She had a slight trim on her right meniscus on March 13, allowing her a smoother play for this upcoming season, all while positioning her team for a chance to defend their title in 2024.
Brondello shared that they plan to gradually increase Stewart’s practice intensity in the coming days.
“We want to ensure she feels comfortable leading into that first game,” Brondello added.
As for whether she’ll play in the preseason opener later this week, that’s still uncertain.
Stewart is now heading into her ninth WNBA season with the Liberty, marking her third with the team. Yet, she consistently finds ways to showcase her dual-threat ability on the court.
That’s why there’s no real concern about her progress this season.
“When you possess greatness, it’s clear why she’s exceptional,” Brondello said. “She doesn’t just show up to training camp; there’s a lot more that goes on behind the scenes to keep her among the best. She’s going to reach a remarkable level, and there’s no need to rush her.”
