Is Breanna Stewart Playing Tonight? Is Breanna Stewart Injured?
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Updated Jul 17, 2024
Is Breanna Stewart Playing Tonight?
Breanna Stewart will not be playing in tonight's game against the Connecticut Sun. She was initially listed as questionable, but the New York Liberty decided to rest her. This is the second game she will miss this season. The Liberty, with a 20-4 record, are 1.5 games ahead of the 18-5 Sun.
Stewart's absence could be significant, as she was key in their previous win over the Sun, scoring 18 points and getting 11 rebounds. Stewart missed her first game of the season on Saturday against the Chicago Sky due to a hamstring injury.
In that game, Jonquel Jones stepped up with 14 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, leading the Liberty to an 81-67 win. Stewart will return next month after the WNBA break for the 2024 Olympics, where she will play for Team USA.
Tonight's game will be held at the Barclays Center and can be watched locally on WWOR-My9, Liberty Live, NBC Sports Boston, or streamed via the WNBA League Pass.
Is Breanna Stewart Injured?
Breanna Stewart is not playing tonight, she had an injury. So she missed her first game of the season last Saturday due to a hamstring injury. While the injury is a concern, the New York Liberty is managing it carefully. The team is resting Stewart to prevent further issues and ensure she is fully healthy for future events, including the All-Star Game and the Paris Olympics.
The Liberty are being cautious to avoid aggravating the injury, but Stewart is not listed as injured for tonight’s game. The decision to rest her is more about careful management of her condition rather than a new or ongoing injury.
Who is Breanna Stewart?
Breanna Mackenzie Stewart, often called "Stewie," was born on August 27, 1994, and plays professional basketball for the New York Liberty in the WNBA. In high school, she was a standout, earning titles like National Gatorade Player of the Year and McDonald's All-American.
At the University of Connecticut, she led her team to four national championships and was named the Final Four’s most outstanding player four times. Stewart was the first overall pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft and was named Rookie of the Year that same year.
She won the WNBA MVP award in 2018 and 2023 and has been an All-Star multiple times. Stewart helped the Seattle Storm win two championships in 2018 and 2020 and was named Finals MVP both times. She has also won gold medals with the U.S. women's national team in the 2016 and 2020 Olympics and at the FIBA World Cup in 2014 and 2018.
| Name | Breanna Mackenzie Stewart |
| Born | August 27, 1994 |
| Age | 29 years old |
| Place of Birth | Syracuse, New York, U.S. |
| Listed Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Listed Weight | 170 lb (77 kg) |
Breanna Stewart Husband
Breanna Stewart is married to Marta Xargay, a former professional basketball player from Spain. Xargay played in the WNBA and EuroLeague and is known for her impressive career achievements. She won three Eurobasket championships and earned silver medals at both the Olympics and the World Cup with the Spain national basketball team.
Stewart and Xargay started dating while they were teammates at Dynamo Kursk. Their relationship grew during their time together on the court, and they eventually got married. Xargay’s success in international basketball and her partnership with Stewart highlight their strong connection both personally and professionally.
Breanna Stewart Career
Breanna Stewart began her USA Basketball career at age 14 with the U16 team, becoming the youngest member. Despite initial reluctance from her parents due to school concerns, she joined the team and contributed significantly, leading in blocks and helping them win gold at the 2009 FIBA Americas U16 Championship.
She continued with the U17 team, earning a starting role and winning gold at the 2010 FIBA U17 World Championship. Stewart also excelled with the U19 team, leading in points and blocks and winning gold at the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship.
In 2011, she was named USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year for her performance in both U19 and Pan American competitions. Stewart was a key player in several senior national teams, winning gold medals at the 2014 FIBA World Championship, the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, and was named MVP in 2020.
Why is Breanna Stewart Not Playing Tonight?
Breanna Stewart is not playing tonight against the Connecticut Sun because the New York Liberty has decided to rest her. She was initially listed as questionable, but the team chose to prioritize her health before the All-Star Game and the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Stewart recently missed her first game of the season on Saturday due to a hamstring injury. The Liberty are being cautious with her recovery, ensuring she is in the best shape for future games and the international competition.
Although the Liberty have a 1.5-game lead over the Sun in the standings, Stewart’s absence tonight gives Connecticut a better chance to close that gap. In their last game against the Sun, Stewart played a crucial role, so her rest tonight is a strategic decision by the team to manage her health and performance for the long term.
