The Phoenix Mercury delivered a clinical performance to advance to the semifinal. Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu tried to guide the side to victory, but the defending champions fell short of the target.
Alyssa Thomas recorded the triple-double, while DeWanna Bonner scripted WNBA playoffs rebounding history in the Phoenix Mercury’s game three. While the Mercury’s game plan worked well, there were questions over Sandy Brondello’s future with the Liberty. Veteran forward Stewart cleared her views.
Breanna Stewart Defends Sandy Brondello
The first thing any outgoing franchise checks is a place for improvement. For a defending champion team, expectations are always high, and decisions might be tough. A question about Sandy Brondelo’s future was very much expected, and the 30-year-old forward was ready with the answer.
“To anybody that questions Sandy being here — this is a resilient group, and she has our back, and we have hers. The way she dealt with the cards she was dealt was incredible. It wasn’t easy for anybody, but she came in every day with a positive attitude and mindset to put us in the best positions possible. We’re not going to be a team that points fingers. A lot of us could have done better this season, but we’re still going to fight and show up for each other every single day. That’s what’s most important. We have Sandy’s back,” Stewart declared her support.
The former UConn star is the leader of the locker room, and with her support for the coach, it is safe to assume that Brondello will be in the hot seat for next season.
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During the 2025 season, Brondello became the New York Liberty’s all-time winningest coach, surpassing Richie Adubato. She won the 2024 championship and kept the side in the top position despite multiple player injuries. But HC’s future is not the only one under question.
Breanna Stewart Clears Her Stand For The New York Liberty Future
The Liberty is now out of the championship race and has time to rebuild the team for the future. All the top stars, including Stewart and Ionescu, will be free agents in the 2026 season. During the press conference, an interviewer asked about their future plans. The veteran forward didn’t take time and quickly said, “I’m coming back”.
Everyone burst into laughter when Stewart then looked right at Ionescu for her response. The guard was confused for a while but nodded her head, and then realized Stewart expected her to say something. “Ye-Yeah,” Ionescu added.
It’s clear that the two-time champion is ready to run it back with the New York side with the current roster only.