While the New York Liberty began their title defense with a big road win in Game 1 of the WNBA Playoffs, a loss may have come in the process.
New York needed overtime to steal home court from the Phoenix Mercury, and midway through the extra period, superstar Breanna Stewart exited the game for good with a left knee injury. Not much is known about the severity of Stewart's injury, but it is unclear if she will be available to help her team close out the best-of-three series.
With the series shifting to the Barclays Center for a potential closeout Game 2, all eyes will be on Stewart's availability. Here is the latest on her status for Wednesday night's game.
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Is Breanna Stewart playing tonight vs. Mercury?
Stewart has been a game-time decision for Wednesday's Game 2 between New York and Phoenix, but she is officially playing in the matchup after participating in shootaround and saying she plans to play "barring anything crazy happening" before tip-off.
Before the game, Stewart was seen getting loose and shooting around without any issues.
New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart – (Left Knee) is continuing to move well and is showing no signs of discomfort during the shooting portion of her warmup ahead of Wednesday’s Game 2 against the Phoenix Mercury.#WNBA pic.twitter.com/sjr9r2rl7v
— Desert Wave Media (@DesertWaveCo) September 17, 2025
During her time with reporters, Stewart revealed that the injury is a sprained MCL.
New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart – QUESTIONABLE (Left Knee) said she has an MCL sprain and plans to play in Game 2 against the Phoenix Mercury.#WNBA pic.twitter.com/Od37W8SmXy
— Desert Wave Media (@DesertWaveCo) September 17, 2025
The two-time league MVP sustained the injury with three minutes remaining in overtime of Game 1 and sat out for the remainder of the win.
Breanna Stewart : 18 points on 7-14 shooting, 1-3 from 3, 3-5 from the FT line, 6 rebounds, 4 assists & 2 steals in 40 minutes (Injured her left knee with 3 minutes remaining in OT. She tried to come back & play but she went to the locker room and didn't return) pic.twitter.com/rvB5Ptdn9M
— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) September 15, 2025
She was held out of Tuesday's practice, but was not ruled out for Wednesday at the time.
"There's no serious [injury]," Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello said in between Games 1 and 2. "She hurt her knee and we'll see how she feels tomorrow — we'll give her as much time as we need."
MORE: Full WNBA playoff schedule, results, bracket for 2025 postseason
Regarding the injury designation, Brondello noted that Stewart's scans came back "relatively clean."
Stewart finished Game 1 with 18 points, six rebounds, and four assists in 40 minutes of action. She missed 13 games during the regular season and New York posted a 5-8 record in her absence.
She will officially be on the floor for Game 2 following the injury concern.
Breanna Stewart will start tonight in Game 2 vs. the Mercury, @sportsiren reports. pic.twitter.com/hpZ1Kg1OAF
— ESPN (@espn) September 17, 2025
Liberty vs. Mercury schedule, scores, results
| Date | Game/Result | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Sept. 14 | Liberty 76, Mercury 69 (OT) | — | — |
| Sept. 17 | Mercury at Liberty | 8 p.m. | ESPN |
| Sept. 19 | Liberty at Mercury* | TBD | ESPN2 |
*If necessary