Breanna Stewart Warns New York Liberty Amid Playoff Struggles

The New York Liberty, defending WNBA champions, are facing significant challenges as they approach the playoffs, with star player Breanna Stewart openly criticizing the team's performance and mindset. After a franchise-best 9-0 start, the Liberty have struggled recently, sitting fifth in the league with a 24-16 record and having lost key games, including a recent 80-63 defeat to the Phoenix Mercury. Stewart emphasized that the current level of play is not championship-caliber and stressed the urgency for improvement in both mindset and execution, dismissing injuries as an excuse. The team has been hampered by injuries, with Stewart and Jonquel Jones missing substantial time, and the Liberty's core trio has only shared the court for 13 games this season, impacting team chemistry. Despite these struggles, Stewart remains optimistic, promising that the team will be ready to compete fiercely in the playoffs, wherever they are seeded. The Liberty's recent inconsistency contrasts sharply with their strong start and championship pedigree, underscoring the need for a renewed focus and cohesion to defend their title successfully.