A month after defeating the Phoenix Mercury to move to 17-6 and sit a comfortable distance behind Minnesota for the top seed, the New York Liberty’s momentum took a sharp turn when Breanna Stewart suffered a right knee bone bruise against the Los Angeles Sparks. The injury sidelined her, and New York has gone 5-9 without her return, a stretch that has featured four wins against teams that would be in the lottery if the season ended today.
Now 22-15, the Liberty find themselves in fifth place and looming the specter of losing home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Their numbers in this injury-filled stretch reflect the challenge: eighth in offensive rating at 103.9, 10th in defensive rating at 107.0, and a net rating of minus 3.0. By comparison, the full-season net rating with Stewart in the lineup sits at plus 10.4, while without her it drops to minus 0.4—a stark reminder of how central she is to the team’s strength on both ends.
Stewart hasn’t been a jaw-dropping scoring outlier this season, averaging 18.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, along with 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. Yet her impact has consistently shown up in the Liberty’s ability to balance offense with defense and to drive late-game performances. The recent downturn without her underlines why she is considered the team’s most indispensable player and why her impending return is so eagerly anticipated by a fanbase hoping to recapture the form that had them near the league’s summit.
There is a line of positive news for New York fans: Stewart is expected to be back soon. She has called her return a “non-negotiable” goal ahead of her birthday on August 27, and she was listed as questionable for the Liberty’s upcoming matchup with the Connecticut Sun. If she returns in the near term, the Liberty will not only have a healthier roster, but a clearer path to stabilizing both sides of the floor in the closing weeks of the regular season.
With several weeks left in the schedule, New York still has a viable window to tighten its perimeter defense, reestablish offensive flow, and cement a postseason position that could restore home-court advantage in the first round. Stewart’s return could catalyze a ripple effect, lifting teammates and re-energizing drives to the rim, passing lanes, and late-game execution.
In the broader context, the Liberty’s position remains a reminder of how a single key player can influence an entire team’s trajectory in the league. If Stewart comes back healthy and the supporting cast rises to meet the challenge, New York can regain the form that carried them toward the league’s upper tier earlier in the season and push for a stronger playoff run.
Summary: The Liberty’s playoff odds have shifted with Stewart’s injury, dropping them to fifth and raising concerns about home-court advantage. Her upcoming return is a critical turning point, with the team needing a quick restoration of balance and execution on both ends to reclaim momentum.
What this means going forward:
– Stewart’s health is the X-factor. Her return is likely to realign the team’s offensive and defensive rhythm.
– The Liberty will need improved consistency from the supporting cast to bridge the gap during Stewart’s absence.
– The remaining regular-season schedule provides a tangible opportunity to secure a favorable playoff position if they can sustain productivity and tighten defense.
Overall sentiment: cautious optimism. The Liberty still sit in a strong position in the standings, and Stewart’s return could unlock the potential that made the early-season push possible.