Breanna Stewart Sets Timeline to Return to Liberty amid Rehab for Knee Injury
New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart is aiming to be on the court within the end of the month.
The two-time WNBA MVP turns 31 on Aug. 27. She told reporters she's working toward a return by that date.
"I feel great. I just finished working out on the court in the back," she said Sunday. "And it's really just kind of giving my leg, the bone a little bit of time while we have it. But hoping to be back sooner than later and really just wanting to be back with my team."
Stewart suffered a bone bruise in her right knee early into New York's 101-99 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on July 26. Once the severity of the injury was known, head coach Sandy Brondello pegged late August as a tentative timeline for when she'd be in the lineup again.
"We want to be smart with it," Brondello said. "If we can get her back at the end of August, I think that's great. It's big picture ... so when she's ready. But keep it fresh for the playoffs. I know she'll be back before then. How early she gets back before the end of the [regular] season, I don't know."
Stewart is second on the team in points (18.3) and rebounds (6.5), and she's dishing out nearly four assists per game. The Liberty have been 7.9 points per 100 possessions better when she's on the floor, per WNBA.com.
Signing 2019 WNBA Finals MVP Emma Meesseman was a big boost to the frontcourt for the second half of the year. Through three appearances, the Belgian big is averaging 12.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and four assists.
The Liberty wrap up the regular season on Sept. 11 against the Chicago Sky. They'll obviously want Stewart to shake off the rust before the playoffs get underway.
But New York can afford to be patient with her recovery, thanks in part to how Meesseman's arrival stabilized the frontcourt. With the team comfortably on pace to secure a top-four seed, making sure all of the key players are healthy in time for the postseason is the overriding priority.
