Breanna Stewart Sounds Off on New York Liberty After Another Setback vs. Phoenix Mercury

Breanna Stewart said New York freedom did not play as champions, undoubtedly assessing the recent difficulties of her team after the defeat of 92-75 on Saturday against the Phoenix Mercury.

The Liberty, which won the first franchise championship in 2024, started this season with a 9-0 departure but returned to the peloton. After the defeat in Phoenix, the New York record fell to 24-16, which means that the team has been 15-16 since its perfect start.

La Liberty overturned the ball more than 19 times against Mercury, which led to 26 Phoenix points. They were also exceeded on offensive glass and ahead of 43-24 in the second half.

Stewart said this kind of breakdowns made the difference between a competitor and a pretender.

“I think what was said [in the Liberty locker room after the game] It’s not good enough, “said Stewart.” It’s not going to cut it. All the things we have done today – and honestly, for a while – will not lead to where we want to be. “”

The double MVP of the WNBA said that the problems exceeded injuries and missed matches, pointing rather towards the state of mind and the execution.

“It is not basketball at the level of the championship at this stage, and everyone must recognize this and understand that we have to get there,” said Stewart. “And it starts with the state of mind, then put it on the ground.”

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The injuries contributed to the inconsistency of New York. Sabrina Ionescu is absent with an injury to the toes, while Stewart herself missed several weeks earlier this summer with a knee problem. Jonquel Jones has also treated back, and Liberty has already used 16 different starting alignments. Their best Stewart trio, Jones and Ionescu has been on the ground together for 13 games this season.

Despite these challenges, Stewart said the time was running out of apology with only four games to play in the regular season.

“It is obviously an apprenticeship opportunity,” said Stewart. “But in a way we lack growth possibilities at this stage. We must be better better.”

Liberty’s head coach Sandy Brondello recognized the team’s inconsistency, but said she thought the group can still run if she finds stability.

“We are not where we must be,” said Brondello. “But that’s it. We just have to hang on and solve this problem. And we know what we are capable of, and that’s what we need to focus on.”

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New York is currently in the seeded n ° 5 and would face the mercury in the first round if the classification takes place.

That freedom can rediscover the form that led them to a championship last year could decide whether this season ends with a repeated offer or a missed opportunity.

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