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 is a game-time decision for Wednesday’s Game 2 between New York and Phoenix.
The two-time league MVP sustained a left knee 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 has not yet been ruled out for Wednesday.
“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.
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
