The Liberty prevented the worst-case state of affairs with Breanna Stewart after their star exited Saturday.
She underwent imaging on her decrease proper leg after leaving early within the first quarter, and outcomes confirmed that she prevented a big damage, sources instructed The Put up’s Madeline Kenney.
Stewart will journey with the Liberty on their upcoming four-game highway journey — which begins Monday in Dallas — however they plan to present her time to get well as an alternative of risking a fast return.
Stewart exited with 6:33 left within the opening body towards the Sparks after jogging down the courtroom in transition, waving towards the bench after which hopping on her left foot for a few steps. She went down the tunnel and by no means returned, and within the instant aftermath of the Liberty’s 101-99 loss, head coach Sandy Brondello didn’t know the severity of the damage and stated, “Hopefully, she’ll be OK.”
In a season the place Jonquel Jones has already missed two stretches on account of a proper ankle damage and loads of different gamers have missed time, Stewart’s absence — for nonetheless lengthy it finally ends up being — will power the Liberty to regulate once more.
They struggled defensively towards the Sparks, permitting them to shoot over 50 % of the sector and falling behind by as many as 15 factors with out Stewart earlier than mounting a fourth-quarter comeback.
Backup middle Nyara Sabally, who has missed the final three video games for relaxation after experiencing discomfort, will probably be held out for the subsequent two-to-three weeks because the Liberty take a long-term strategy along with her restoration forward of the postseason, in response to Kenney.
Kennedy Burke additionally logged simply six minutes Saturday on account of cramping, whereas Leonie Fiebich performed by way of a hand damage sustained Friday.
“She’s just such a big part of our offense and defense, and I feel like you could really feel it on the defensive end,” Fiebich stated of Stewart on Saturday postgame. “She’s so versatile. She’s pressuring the ball. She will be able to change. She will be able to guard anyone on the ground, and I really feel like we missed that in the present day just a little bit. And likewise on the offense, she offers us so much.
“We didn’t have to deal with it this season yet, that we had to play without her. I hope she’s OK and she’s gonna be back soon.”
Stewart has averaged 18.3 factors per recreation this season.
