Who doesn’t love a neck-and-neck, wheel-to-wheel, tights-you-like battle in the playoffs? Well, we neutrals do. But for Breanna Stewart, a close game is not what she would like her team to be in. And because of that, she was not in a praising mood after the New York Liberty’s crushing 86-60 loss at home to the Phoenix Mercury in Game 2 of the first-round playoffs. The loss tied the series and forced a winner-take-all Game 3 in Phoenix.
“They came in and they embarrassed us on our home court,” Stewart said. “Now we have to go back there for Game 3. Winner take all. If we’re not ready for that, then we shouldn’t be here.”
Stewart also reflected on her own performance. “I just wasn’t where I wanted to be today,” she said. “And I have 48 hours to figure it out.”
The Liberty were dominated after a decent first quarter. Phoenix pulled away in the second and third, exploiting turnovers and poor shooting from New York. Breanna Stewart, playing with a left knee brace after spraining her MCL in Game 1, struggled to find rhythm.
This kind of loss wasn’t something the defending champs expected. Stewart, as one of the team’s leaders, urged everyone to keep focus: this is a series, not a single game. She made clear the higher stakes ahead. Game 3 becomes do-or-die. If the Liberty aren’t mentally and physically ready, they risk their season.
Breanna Stewart Pushes Through Knee Injury Ahead of Decisive Game 3
Breanna Stewart has been playing through pain this playoff series. After suffering a sprained MCL in Game 1, she came back for Game 2 wearing a knee brace and admitted the match tested more than just her physical strength.
“With injury, there’s probably always a chance [of re-injury], but I want to take that because I want to be out with my team,” Stewart said. “And they told me that, structurally, everything looks okay. So my plan is to go.”
Stewart said she felt the knee held up relatively well during Game 2, even if the result was far from what the Liberty hoped for. She’ll have about 48 hours to regroup and let the knee settle before the elimination Game 3 in Phoenix.
Her attitude speaks volumes. For Breanna Stewart, it isn’t just about returning healthy — it’s about showing up, for her teammates and for the fans, when the moment demands it. Even with limited mobility or pain, she’s making it clear her mindset hasn’t wavered.
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Dan has been active in sports since 2016 and has worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. At a time, Dan has also been working as a sports commentator for CBA Pilipinas. During the pandemic, he has also been actively writing betting articles for CashBet and BetNow.
