Breanna Stewart was in obvious pain while on the bench late in overtime of the New York Liberty’s 76-69 win over the Phoenix Mercury in the first game of their WNBA opening-round playoff series on Sept. 14 at PHX Arena.
The Liberty All-Star and former MVP suffered a left-knee injury when she landed awkwardly while making a layup and drawing a foul, putting New York ahead, 70-65, with 3:01 left to play.
Advertisement
Stewart, who finished with 18 points on 50% shooting, six rebounds, four assists and two steals, didn’t return as the game slipped away from Phoenix. There was no immediate confirmation as to whether she’ll return for Game 2 of the three-game series on Sept. 17 in New York.
“We’ll just be hoping that she’ll be OK,” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said after Game 1.
Stewart underwent an MRI on her left knee on Sept. 15, ESPN reported. No injury report was released by the Liberty for Game 2. Stewart missed 13 games during the regular season this year with an injury to her right knee.
Stewart’s potential absence in Game 2 would be a major factor for New York that could help the Mercury, who are in a win-or-go-home situation. Phoenix earned home court in the opening round as the No. 4 seed in the playoffs. The defending champion Liberty are No. 5.
Advertisement
Game 2 tips off at 5:30 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN.
Even without Stewart, the Mercury can’t afford to let their former starting point guard, Natasha Cloud, have another performance like she had in Game 1.
Cloud was traded to Connecticut last offseason for Phoenix’s MVP candidate Alyssa Thomas (14 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, one steal in Game 1), then flipped in another trade to New York. Cloud recorded game-highs of 23 points and four steals in Game 1, shooting 9-of-12 from the field, including three from deep. She added five assists and six rebounds.
“We’re always concerned,” Cloud said about Stewart’s status after Game 1. “This is a close locker room inside. We care about Stewie more than just the basketball player. She did her job today. She got us to a dub. But we’re concerned about her. We don’t know anything yet, but we have the next-man-up mentality.”
Advertisement
Cloud stepped up for the Liberty’s other star, Sabrina Ionescu, who was locked up by the Mercury’s Monique Akoa Makani (eight points, two assists) in Game 1’s second half. Ionescu (16 points, seven assists and six rebounds) is known as one of the league’s top clutch performers, but was held scoreless from 7:37 in the fourth quarter through OT.
“The great thing is I’m not just a scorer,” Ionescu said. “I was able to continue to facilitate and find ways to help us win.”
Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts praised the defensive effort on Ionescu by his starting point guard, who was named to the Associated Press All-Rookie First Team.
Advertisement
“Mo has probably a little bit overlooked with some of the other great players that we have on our team,” Tibbetts said. “What she has done as a rookie in this league is super impressive. The way she battled against Sabrina is what we’re going to need to win this series, and she’s been up to every challenge we’ve put in front of her and I’m just super proud of how she’s competed.”
Tibbetts said Phoenix simply got outplayed in overtime, shooting 22% to the Liberty’s 50%.
Mercury All-Star Satou Sabally hit just 2-of-17 for nine points. She also had eight rebounds and three steals.
Phoenix was outrebounded against the bigger Liberty, 48-31 overall.
Advertisement
The Mercury won their regular-season series against the Liberty, 3-1, but New York wasn’t fully healthy in most of those meetings.
Regardless of the Game 2 outcome, Tibbetts is proud of the team’s improvement from 19 wins last season, finishing just two wins shy of tying their franchise record of 29 wins set in 2014.
“Listen, I’ve been extremely proud of our group all season long,” Tibbetts said. “No one’s picking us to win this series. I know we believe in us, and so this is our journey, right? This was our first playoff game together. We went toe-to-toe with the defending champs and had a chance to win.
“I’m super proud of how we competed and gave ourselves a chance to win at the end, and I know the group will expect to bounce back in New York.”
Advertisement
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Liberty may be without star Breanna Stewart in Game 2 vs. Mercury
