Breanna Stewart turned around one of the worst performances of her career with an outstanding performance, scoring 28 points, pulling down 14 rebounds, and dishing out seven assists to lead the New York Liberty to an 89-71 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday while Brittney Griner was out injured.
I wanted to be assertive and confrontational, Stewart admitted. “Especially in the beginning of the game, and I hope everyone will follow. It happens occasionally that the ball doesn’t get into the basket, as it did in the previous game. Due to the law of averages, things tend to balance out a little.
Griner’s hip injury, which she sustained against Seattle on Tuesday, forced her to miss her second consecutive game. When a clip of the All-Star centre from the first timeout was presented, the crowd gave her a warm standing ovation.
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The Liberty attracted a sellout crowd of 9,278 as Griner might play in her first game in New York after arriving in the country after spending 10 months in captivity in Russia the previous year.
Diana Taurasi was out from Phoenix (2-8) due to a hamstring ailment as well.
With Sabrina Ionescu missing her second straight game due to a hamstring injury, New York also experienced injury problems. The Liberty (7-3) had more than enough to defeat the Mercury even without Ionescu.
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In New York’s defeat to Atlanta on Tuesday, Stewart, who attempted just one of 14 field goals, was aggressive right away. She made numerous shots both inside and outside. She scored 23 points in the first half as New York outscored Phoenix 53-34.
Phoenix reduced a 19-point deficit early in the fourth quarter to 72-64 with 6:01 remaining thanks to an 11-0 outburst that included nine points from Sophie Cunningham.
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Stewart’s free throw put a stop to New York’s dry spell, and Betnijah Laney’s jump shot restored the double-digit lead. The remainder of the way, Phoenix never threatened.
Coach Vanessa Nygaard of Phoenix stated, “Our players just don’t quit.” They were very proud. They are all really skilled basketball players, so we won’t be intimidated by anyone is available to us.
Cunningham led the Mercury in scoring with a total of 27 points.
