Massive news for the New York Liberty as the champs look to repeat

Rodney Knuppel

Massive news for the New York Liberty as the champs look to repeat image

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The defending WNBA champions could use some good news, and they are set to get it.  Breanna Stewart, who has not played since she got hurt after three minutes on July 26, is expected back tonight as the New York Liberty takes on the Connecticut Sun. Geoff Magliocchetti reported the news early on Monday.

Since she went out, the Liberty are 5-8, and have dropped to second place in the Eastern Conference, and are 1/2 game behind Phoenix for the fourth-best record in the league.

Before her injury, the 30-year-old was scoring 18.3 points per game and dishing out just shy of 4 assists per game. Stewart was also averaging 6.5 rebounds per game. Earlier in the season, Stewart had 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists in a win over Indiana, which had fans buzzing for a repeat.

With her out, Sabrina Ionescu leads the team in scoring with 19 points per game. That ranks tied with Paige Bueckers for fourth in the league.

MORE: Paige Bueckers is so good, she's already breaking WNBA defenses

Following this game, New York has six games remaining until the postseason gets under. This is the first of two straight home games, as the Liberty will host the Mystics on Thursday. 

New York then goes on the road to Phoenix, Golden State and Seattle, before finishing the regular season on Sept. 9 against the Washington Mystics.

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Rodney Knuppel

Rodney Knuppel is a freelance writer for The Sporting News. When not watching, listening or writing about sports, Rodney enjoys following the travels of his three kids, who are all active in their own sports and activities. A huge St. Louis Cardinals fan, Rodney also enjoys St. Louis Blues hockey and is a big Kansas Jayhawks basketball fan.