Precisely one month in the past, the New York Liberty beat the Phoenix Mercury to enhance to 17-6. Although they have been 3 ½ video games again of the Minnesota Lynx within the race for the No. 1 seed, comfortably in second, with a 2½-game lead on everybody else. A Finals rematch appeared destined.
The subsequent evening, Breanna Stewart landed awkwardly on a layup try simply minutes into the Liberty’s matchup with the Los Angeles Sparks. She left the sport, which the Liberty in the end misplaced on a buzzer beater by Rickea Jackson. Stewart was later identified with a proper knee bone bruise and has not performed since.
Together with that defeat to the Sparks, the Liberty are 5-9 with out Stewart and 4 of these wins have come in opposition to groups that will be within the lottery if the season ended at this time. Now 22-15, the Liberty are caught in fifth place and gazing the potential of not having home-court benefit within the first spherical of the playoffs.
Throughout this stretch they’re eighth within the league in offensive ranking (103.9), tenth in defensive ranking (107.0) and tenth in internet ranking (minus-3.0). For the season, they’ve a plus-10.4 internet ranking with Stewart and a minus-0.4 internet ranking with out her.
Stewart’s numbers this season — 18.3 factors, 6.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks — might not be as gaudy as they’ve been up to now, however the final month has been a reminder that she stays the Liberty’s most necessary participant.
The excellent news for the Liberty is that Stewart is predicted to return to motion quickly. Earlier this month, Stewart mentioned it was a “non-negotiable” for her to return earlier than her birthday on Wednesday (Aug. 27), and she or he has been listed as questionable for the workforce’s recreation in opposition to the Connecticut Solar on Monday.
The Liberty could also be down within the dumps proper now, however with Stewart’s return on the horizon and some weeks remaining within the common season, there’s simply sufficient time for them to get their act collectively for a repeat push.
Beneath are CBS Sports activities’ newest WNBA Energy Rankings.
