Breanna Stewart, the reigning WNBA MVP, had a stellar regular season in 2023 but felt that her playoff performance didn’t meet expectations. Her New York Liberty lost the WNBA Finals to the Las Vegas Aces, a defeat that weighed heavily on her. In the months since, Stewart has reflected deeply on that disappointment, and she’s determined to improve. The pain of that loss lingered, but it also fueled her drive for the 2024 season.
“I think I’ve grown a lot from it,” Stewart said, reflecting on her 2023 postseason. “Unfortunately, I’ve had a lot of time to think about it. I had to figure out where I could be better and how I could handle things differently on and off the court. But in the process, I never forgot who I am and what I can do.”
That self-awareness and hunger for redemption were on full display on Sunday, as Stewart led the Liberty to an 87-77 win over the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in Game 1 of their best-of-five WNBA semifinal series. The game was held at Barclays Center in New York, where the Liberty were backed by a raucous home crowd.
A Dominating Performance on the Big Stage
Stewart was unstoppable, putting up 34 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, and dishing out 4 assists. She shot a remarkable 12-of-19 from the field and went 8-of-9 from the free-throw line. Her presence was felt on both ends of the court, setting the tone early for the Liberty and proving why she remains one of the most dominant players in the WNBA.
This marked Stewart’s sixth career playoff game where she scored 30 or more points, making her just the second player in WNBA history to achieve such a feat, behind only Diana Taurasi, who has eight 30-plus point playoff games to her name. Stewart’s ability to deliver in crucial moments made it a tough day for the Aces, who struggled to contain her throughout the game.
“She had way too many mismatches,” Aces head coach Becky Hammon said after the game. “We were switching our guards onto her, and we weren’t supposed to do that. Once Stewart and [Jonquel Jones] got going in the paint, it was hard to stop them. They really dominated us in there.”
Stewart was particularly effective in the first half, scoring 20 points before halftime, helping the Liberty take control early in the game. Her ability to find and exploit mismatches created significant problems for the Aces defense, who couldn’t find an answer for her.
Strong Support from Teammates
Although Stewart was the clear star of the night, her teammates also played crucial roles in securing the victory. Guard Sabrina Ionescu contributed 21 points, showcasing her ability to score from long range and keep the defense on its toes. Forward Jonquel Jones provided a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds, adding a powerful inside presence alongside Stewart. Together, Stewart and Ionescu were responsible for 62 of the Liberty’s 87 points, underscoring how important their dynamic duo was to the team’s success.
With Stewart’s scoring prowess and Ionescu’s sharpshooting, the Liberty were able to dictate the pace of the game and maintain their lead. The combination of these two players made it incredibly difficult for Las Vegas to mount a comeback.
“You’re constantly trying to dig yourself out of a hole when you start like that,” Coach Hammon said of the Aces’ struggles. “It’s not the way you want to begin a game, especially on the road.”
A Look at the Numbers: The Liberty’s Semifinals History
Historically, WNBA teams that win the first game of a best-of-five series have a strong chance of advancing, winning 77% of the time. The Liberty will be hoping to continue that trend as they look to make their way to the Finals. A win in Game 2 would put them just one victory away from reaching the championship series, a place they haven’t been since their disappointing Finals loss in 2023. Last season, they had to come back from a Game 1 loss in the semifinals against the Connecticut Sun before winning the series 3-1. In that opening game, Stewart scored 19 points but was inefficient, shooting just 9-of-25 from the field.
The Liberty regrouped after that early setback to reach the Finals, where they faced the Aces in a rematch. Despite their best efforts, the Liberty came up short in the Finals, losing the series 3-1. Stewart’s playoff performance left much to be desired; she shot just 35.8% from the field and 19.6% from beyond the arc during the 2023 postseason. These shooting struggles were uncharacteristic for a player of her caliber, and it was clear that something was off.
Off-Court Struggles: Stewart’s Personal Challenges
What many fans didn’t realize at the time was that Stewart was dealing with significant personal challenges off the court. Her father-in-law was battling cancer during the 2023 playoffs, and sadly, he passed away on October 6, just days after the Finals ended. To add to the emotional weight, Stewart’s wife, Marta, gave birth to their second child on October 25, just a week after the Finals concluded. These personal events undoubtedly took a toll on Stewart, although she never used them as an excuse for her subpar performances.
“I had a lot going on personally, but I still hold myself accountable for what happened on the court,” Stewart said. “I had a lot to make up for from last year, and I’m working every day to do that.”
Her determination to improve and return stronger was evident throughout the 2024 season, and her performance in Game 1 against the Aces was a statement to anyone doubting her capabilities.
A New Chapter with the Liberty
Stewart made waves in 2023 when she joined the Liberty as the most coveted free agent in WNBA history. The move brought her closer to home, as Stewart is a native of Syracuse, New York, and a four-time NCAA champion at UConn. Before joining the Liberty, Stewart had already won two WNBA championships with the Seattle Storm, where she also earned her first MVP award in 2018. The Liberty franchise hoped that her arrival would finally bring them their first-ever WNBA title.
This season, the Liberty boasted the best record in the league, finishing 32-8 and earning the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. In their first-round series, they swept the Atlanta Dream, with Stewart contributing 33 points and 17 rebounds across the two games. Stewart’s combination of scoring, rebounding, and leadership has made the Liberty a formidable force throughout the season, and their dominant performance against the Aces in Game 1 shows they are locked in for a deep playoff run.
One Step Closer to a Title
With a win in Game 2 on Tuesday, the Liberty will be just one victory away from advancing to their sixth WNBA Finals appearance. Despite reaching the Finals five times in franchise history, the Liberty have never won the championship. For Stewart, bringing a title to New York would be the perfect way to redeem last year’s disappointment and cement her legacy as one of the greatest players in WNBA history.
“Last time wasn’t my proudest moment,” Stewart admitted, referring to her 2023 playoff struggles. “But I’m going to continue to push myself to be better, for my team, for my family, and for the city of New York.”
As the Liberty move forward in the playoffs, Stewart’s leadership and determination will be critical in their quest to bring home their first-ever WNBA title. If her Game 1 performance is any indication, Breanna Stewart is ready to lead her team to the top.
The Information is Collected from ESPN and Yahoo.
