Breanna Stewart Makes Return Before 31st Birthday

Breanna Stewart got her wish to hit the court again just before turning 31. After being sidelined for a month due to a bone bruise in her right knee, the New York Liberty medical team cleared her during Monday’s game against the Connecticut Sun at Barclays Center.

On the same day, Sabrina Ionescu was also slated to play, recovering from a left foot injury sustained in Saturday’s game against Atlanta.

Director Sandy Brondello stated that the status of Natasha Cloud (nose injury) and Isabelle Harrison (concussion protocol) would be confirmed closer to game time. Meanwhile, Nyara Sabally remains out due to ongoing issues with her right knee.

Stewart expressed her excitement following Monday’s shootaround. She mentioned that she had been urging the training staff to let her return. “It feels good,” she said. “I’m going tonight. I just want to reunite with my teammates and help out however I can. This is crucial for our playoff run, and I’ve been working with the training staff over the last four weeks.”

Her last appearance was a brief three minutes in the July 26 game against Los Angeles, where she appeared to injure her leg. The exact moment of her injury remains unclear, as she didn’t seem to collide with anyone before leaving the game.

In Stewart’s absence, New York struggled, going 5-8 without her, dropping from second to fifth in the WNBA standings. The defending champions currently hold a 22-15 record, preparing for two games this week against the second-placed Atlanta Dream (24-13).

Her defensive prowess was missed greatly; the team’s defensive rating has risen from 97.2 to 107.0 during the last month without her presence on the court. Additionally, they’ve allowed a staggering 27 offensive rebounds and 41 second-chance points over the last two games.

Stewart’s comeback brings fresh energy and versatility to the Liberty’s lineup. She commented, “We need to focus on the little things—50-50 balls, loose balls, those are in our control. We can’t always dictate whether the ball goes in, but we can ensure we stay connected and are ready to compete. It’s a tough battle right now.”

While Stewart isn’t entirely sure how much time she’ll be on the floor, she does expect some limitations initially.

In the 24 games this season, she has averaged 18.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, showcasing solid performances with a notable 20.6% shooting from beyond the arc. She’s also third in the league for free throw attempts per game, averaging six.

While Stewart, Ionescu, and Harrison joined the rest of the team during Monday’s shootaround, Cloud and Sabally were notably absent.