The New York Liberty had high hopes when their star forward, Breanna Stewart, returned from a month-long injury layoff on Monday. After missing 13 games due to a bone bruise in her right knee, the two-time MVP was back in action against the Connecticut Sun. Though Stewart’s injury pushed the Liberty to the fourth-worst defensive rating in the WNBA, the return came anyway.
While the playoff picture is getting a bit clearer with each passing game, the Liberty are in an interesting position. Additionally, Stewart dropped 19 points in a nail-biting 81-79 win. But even her triumphant comeback couldn’t erase the sting of an unwanted team record.
Breanna Stewart’s Comeback Couldn’t Avoid Liberty’s Unfortunate Season Slide
This season’s been a rough ride for the defending champs. Injuries have hit them like a storm, with Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones missing a combined 27 games. That’s a lot of star power sidelined, and it shows.
Since their perfect opening, the Liberty have gone 14-15, landing them in fifth place in the WNBA standings with a 23-15 record. Monday’s game was a gritty win, but it exposed ongoing issues as Connecticut outrebounded them 34-30. They grabbed 12 offensive boards to New York’s six, a stat that’s been a sore spot all year.
Umm… there's probably a way to look it up league wide.
— Madeline Kenney (@madkenney) August 25, 2025
Fourteen different starting lineups in a season is the most in Liberty franchise history. https://t.co/wwjpq2HFaI
Additionally, the Liberty’s 15 losses since their blazing 9-0 start mark their worst slide since moving to Brooklyn in 2018. Something even Stewart couldn’t avoid with her grand return. However, her comeback was a big deal. She’d been out since July 26, when she felt something pop in her knee against the Los Angeles Sparks. Additionally, coach Brondello did share a doubtful update on Breanna’s injury return in the meantime.
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She played just over 20 minutes under a minute restriction, bringing her signature intensity and scoring touch. Although Ionescu is back from a foot injury, and is showing positive signs in game play. She also added 11 points and nine assists, while Jones chipped in 18 points and 11 rebounds. Still, the team’s disjointed play, thanks to constant lineup changes, kept the game closer than they’d like.
Liberty Still Not At Peace After Breanna Stewart’s Return
While heading back to the active roster gives all the good hopes to Stewart and the Liberty, their struggles aren’t just about injuries. Coach Sandy Brondello shuffled the lineup again, benching Emma Meesseman and starting Kennedy Burke because Natasha Cloud was out with a nasal fracture.
Back like she never left 😎
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 25, 2025
A Leonie Fiebich steal leads to Breanna Stewart's first field goal since July 26th!
CON-NYL | League Pass pic.twitter.com/mWlJZCTVPp
That kind of shuffling has been the story of their season, disrupting chemistry and flow. The 2025 WNBA season, stretched to a record 44 games, hasn’t helped either, putting extra strain on players’ bodies.
A staggering 68% of WNBA players have missed games due to injury this year, and the Liberty are no exception. With seven games left, Stewart’s return gives hope, but the road’s tough. The Liberty are in a tight race for a top-four seed to secure homecourt advantage in the playoffs.