On Sunday, Breanna Stewart of the Liberty was in good spirits, expressing that she felt “great” after finishing an individual training session while her teammates prepared for their game against the Lynx.
Having been sidelined for two weeks due to a bone bruise in her right knee, Stewart mentioned that her rehab was progressing well, although the team’s training staff hadn’t pinpointed a specific return date yet.
She shared her hopes that, according to Liberty coach Sandy Brondello, the two-time league MVPs could potentially return to the court by the end of the month.
Stewart assured fans, “I will definitely come back” before her 31st birthday on August 27. “It can’t be negotiated,” she added emphatically. “I have to come back before my birthday.”
In the meantime, she understands that patience is key as she continues her recovery.
Stewart left the game against the Sparks on July 26 after just a few minutes due to a leg injury, marking her first interaction with reporters since the incident. She expressed some uncertainty about whether the bone bruise was present before her injury.
“As I stepped in, I felt something in my knees,” she recalled. “But I don’t know. I think it just irritated. I’m sure the bone bruises were already there,” she said, reflecting on the game played the night before where fatigue hadn’t played a role in her performance.
Currently, Stewart is limited to workouts that avoid competitive 5-on-5 matches. During her solo sessions, she’s been able to move around and even filmed her practice.
“There are no restrictions,” she stated. “It’s just about keeping the load low, so my workouts are a bit shorter.” Over the next couple of weeks, she plans to ramp up her aerobic exercises and extend her individual training.
Stewart noted that while she’s progressing, the differences between training and actual gameplay are minimal. “Obviously, there are some things you can’t recreate, but it’s as close as possible,” she said.
With the team also facing injuries to players like Kennedy Burke and Nyara Sabally, Stewart has been pushing the training staff for the green light to return. But she also recognizes that her contribution will be more valuable when she’s at full strength.
Meanwhile, witnessing the Liberty’s four-game winning streak from the sidelines has been tough for her. “It’s the worst,” she admitted. “It’s the hardest part for me to help them—fight alongside them—but they’ve got my back, and we’ve gone through some struggles together.”
