Breanna Stewart to Return from Knee Injury for Liberty vs. Sun After 13-Game Absence

New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart will make her return to a WNBA court on Monday against the Connecticut Sun.

The two-time MVP hasn't suited up since a 101-99 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on July 26, a stretch of 13 games, because of a bone bruise in her right knee.

Stewart's value to the Liberty is evident from the fact they're 5-8 after she went down. Their net rating (minus-3.1) during that span ranks 10th in the league, per WNBA.com.

Granted, Stewart was performing a little below her usual standard prior to the injury. Her scoring average (18.3 points) is her lowest since her rookie year in 2016, and she's shooting just 20.6 percent from beyond the arc.

The timing of the 30-year-old's return works out nicely.

The Sun (9-27) are one of the WNBA's worst teams, and New York doesn't play again until Thursday. Stewart should be able to ease her way back into a rhythm, and she gets a few days to rest if her knee is a little sore after Monday's contest.

And with seven games left in the regular season, the 6'4" forward will have time to shake off any rust and relearn what it's like to share a frontcourt with Emma Meesseman after they played together in Europe.

Stewart's injury was undoubtedly a bump in the road for the Liberty, but they could be well positioned to defend their 2024 title when the playoffs are here.