Breanna Stewart, the reigning WNBA MVP, entered the 2024 season with a chip on her shoulder. Sure, she had just won the MVP award the previous season, but it wasn’t enough to overshadow the disappointment that lingered after the New York Liberty’s crushing loss in the WNBA Finals to the Las Vegas Aces. That defeat stayed with her, gnawing at her sense of accomplishment and driving her to reflect deeply on what went wrong.
"I think I've just kind of grown from it," Stewart admitted, candidly addressing her underwhelming postseason in 2023. "I've had -- unfortunately -- a lot of time to reflect on it, and where can I be better. And how to handle things collectively better. But with that, I don't forget who I am and what I can do."
It’s hard to forget who Stewart is, especially after her stunning performance in Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals this year. Facing the Aces once again, Stewart sent a powerful message with a dominant 34-point display, leading her Liberty to an 87-77 victory. Playing at the Barclays Center in front of her home crowd, she added 5 rebounds and 4 assists, shooting an impressive 12-of-19 from the field and hitting 8 of 9 free throws. The performance was vintage Stewart: composed, lethal, and a reminder of why she's one of the best in the game.
Her performance in Game 1 marked her sixth playoff game with 30-plus points, trailing only Diana Taurasi, who holds the record with eight such games. Stewart's energy, particularly in the first half, set the tone for the Liberty's win and made life difficult for the two-time defending champion Aces. Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon acknowledged the mismatch issues, particularly in the first half when Stewart poured in 20 points. "She had too many mismatches," Hammon said. "We were switching guards on to her and [Jonquel Jones] in that first half, and we're not supposed to do that. And they destroyed us in there, both their bigs."
The Liberty had a balanced attack behind Stewart, with guard Sabrina Ionescu adding 21 points and Jones contributing a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds. Together, Stewart and Ionescu accounted for 62 of the Liberty's 87 points through a combination of scoring and assists, a testament to their ability to control the game from multiple angles.
This victory was particularly sweet for the Liberty, especially considering their historical odds. In WNBA history, teams that win the first game of a best-of-five series have a 77% chance of advancing, a statistic that adds weight to their Game 1 win. The Liberty were looking to flip the script from last season, where they found themselves on the losing side in the Finals against these same Aces. In fact, during the 2023 semifinals, New York had to dig itself out of a hole after losing the first game to Connecticut. Stewart struggled in that game, shooting just 9-of-25 from the field, but she and the team rebounded to win the series 3-1 before falling to Las Vegas in the Finals.
The 2023 postseason wasn’t Stewart’s finest hour. Her shooting percentages plummeted, hitting just 35.8% from the field and an uncharacteristic 19.6% from beyond the arc. However, what many fans didn’t know at the time was that Stewart was dealing with significant personal challenges. Her father-in-law was battling cancer and tragically passed away in early October. Just weeks after that, her wife, Marta, gave birth to their second child. Despite these heavy personal circumstances, Stewart didn’t offer any excuses for her postseason dip, a reflection of her competitive spirit and commitment to the game.
Even after the Liberty's Game 1 victory in 2024, Stewart spoke to the Barclays Center crowd, reminding everyone that she had "a lot to make up for" from the previous year’s disappointment. That unflinching honesty and desire for redemption have become hallmarks of Stewart’s career. She doesn’t rest on her laurels, even though she easily could, given her glittering résumé. Before joining the Liberty, Stewart was already a two-time WNBA champion with the Seattle Storm, where she also earned her first MVP title in 2018. A Syracuse, New York native and four-time NCAA champion with UConn, Stewart came to New York in 2023 as the most coveted free agent in WNBA history.
Her decision to come home was about more than just basketball. Stewart wanted to be closer to her family and help elevate the Liberty to championship contention, a team that had long struggled to capture a WNBA title. She wasted no time making an impact. The Liberty finished the regular season with the league’s best record at 32-8, earning them the top seed in the playoffs. They breezed through their first-round series against the Atlanta Dream, with Stewart contributing 33 points and 17 rebounds over the two games.
A win in Game 2 of the semifinals against the Aces would put the Liberty on the cusp of their first WNBA Finals appearance in years, but Stewart knows better than anyone that the work isn’t done yet. Reflecting on her postseason last year, she admitted, "Last time wasn't my most proudest, but I'm going to continue to be better."
Stewart’s journey is not just about personal accolades or proving doubters wrong. It’s about resilience, perseverance, and understanding the long game. Her ability to balance life’s highs and lows, while remaining one of the most elite athletes in the sport, speaks volumes about her character. Whether it's dealing with personal loss, navigating the pressures of leading a franchise, or simply reflecting on her own performance, Stewart embodies what it means to be an MVP beyond the stat sheets.
As the Liberty push forward in their playoff run, Stewart’s leadership will be crucial. The team is hungry for their first WNBA title, and with Stewart at the helm, they're as dangerous as ever. Her presence on the court, paired with the dynamic play of teammates like Ionescu and Jones, makes this Liberty squad one of the most formidable in recent memory.
Stewart’s commitment to improvement, both individually and collectively, is the driving force behind the Liberty’s success. And as she continues to refine her game and lead her team, the prospect of finally lifting that elusive championship trophy feels closer than ever. This time, Stewart isn’t just playing to win — she’s playing to make up for lost opportunities, to honor her family, and to cement her legacy as one of the greatest to ever play the game.
With her eyes set firmly on redemption, the Liberty's championship hopes ride on Stewart’s shoulders. And if Game 1 is any indication, she’s more than ready to carry that weight.
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