Breanna Stewart injury: Liberty star avoided serious leg issue, will travel on upcoming road trip, per report
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Breanna Stewart injury: Liberty star avoided serious leg issue, will travel on upcoming road trip, per report
New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart is out with a lower leg injury. Stewart suffered the injury in the Liberty’s 101-99 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. She underwent imaging that showed she avoided a significant injury to her right leg. It’s unclear when she’ll return to action for the Liberty, who are second in the WNBA with a 17-7 record. The Liberty have been beset by injuries and absences this season, including Jonquel Jones, Leonie Fiebich, Nyara Sabally and Emma Meesseman.
Stewart came up hobbled just minutes into the Liberty’s heartbreaking last-second loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday night and was later ruled out for good with a lower leg injury. After the Liberty battled back from a 15-point deficit, Rickea Jackson flipped in a buzzer beater for a 101-99 Sparks win.
Early in the first quarter, Stewart set a screen for Sabrina Ionescu and rolled to the basket. Ionescu hit her with a perfect pocket pass that led her right to the rim, but Stewart overcooked her contested layup. Nothing seemed to be amiss as Stewart hustled back on defense, but as soon as she crossed halfcourt, she pulled up and signaled to the bench for a sub.
It’s too early to know Stewart’s exact injury or how long she may be sidelined, but it’s safe to bet that the Liberty will take the cautious route with the two-time MVP. Stewart underwent surgery on her right meniscus during the offseason and has previously had major injuries to both of her Achilles tendons.
Stewart recently appeared in her seventh All-Star Game and is well on her way to another All-WNBA campaign. Entering Saturday, she was averaging 19 points — tied for fifth in the league — 6.8 rebounds, four assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks.
The reigning champion Liberty have been beset by injuries and absences this season. Most notably, Jonquel Jones has been limited to 11 appearances due to multiple ankle injuries. Key role player Leonie Fiebich also missed nearly a month while participating in EuroBasket with the German national team, while Nyara Sabally has been hampered by a knee problem.
Despite often playing shorthanded, the Liberty sit in second place with a 17-7 record and remain the title favorites (+160, per FanDuel). The latter is in large part due to the upcoming arrival of 2019 Finals MVP Emma Meesseman, who will make her long-awaited return to the WNBA later this season once her visa issues are sorted out.
There’s no replacing a player like Stewart, but should she need an extended spell on the sidelines, Meesseman’s arrival would certainly help soften the blow.
Reports: Liberty’s Stewart’s MRI shows no major injury to leg
New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart hurt her right leg in a game Saturday night. The All-Star forward had imaging done, and nothing major turned up, a person says. Stewart left nearly 3 minutes into the Liberty’s 101-99 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. She will travel with the team on its four-game road trip that begins in Dallas on Monday night.
NEW YORK — New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart avoided a significant injury when she hurt her right leg in a game Saturday night, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.
The All-Star forward had imaging done, and nothing major turned up, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Sunday because no official statement had been made.
She will travel with the team on its four-game road trip that begins in Dallas on Monday night, the person said.
Stewart left nearly 3 minutes into the Liberty’s 101-99 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. She had three points and a rebound. Stewart seemed to injure the leg while running up the court. She went to the locker room and never returned to the bench.
“No update, hopefully she’ll be OK,” coach Sandy Brondello said after the Liberty’s five-game winning streak was snapped.
New York was playing the second half of a back-to-back. Stewart had a quiet scoring game in Friday’s win over Phoenix, with just six points. She did have eight rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals.
Stewart came into Saturday’s game averaging 19 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists on the season to help New York (17-7) build the second-best record in the league.
The two-time WNBA MVP hadn’t missed a game yet this season. After playing much of July at home, New York will be on the road for five of its next six games.
New York also had two other injuries; Kennedy Burke had some cramps and Leonie Fiebich has been dealing with a hand injury she suffered against Phoenix.
“She’s tough and resilient, she pushed through it,” Brondello said.