New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart has her sights set on surpassing Sue Bird’s legendary career, turning a quiet tie in accolades into an open rivalry.
The golden standard in basketball is no longer just a benchmark for Breanna Stewart—it is a target. With her four World Cup gold medals. the New York Liberty forward has finally pulled even with the career totals of Sue Bird. the iconic Seattle Storm guard who stepped away from the court in 2022 after two decades.
For Stewart, however, matching a legend isn’t the finish line. It is the beginning of a pursuit.
“I don’t have enough. It’s never enough,” Stewart said during a candid conversation with Jason Sudeikis for The Hollywood Reporter’s “Game Recognize Game” series. When asked about her ultimate motivation, she was blunt: “Well, first of all, I want to beat Sue.”
The math reveals exactly how close the gap has become. Bird retired with four WNBA championships, five Olympic gold medals, and four World Cup victories. Stewart’s current resume stands at three WNBA titles, three Olympic gold medals, and four World Cup victories. The race to define greatness is unfolding in real time. and Bird—now the managing director of the USA Women’s National Team—remains close enough to the action to watch her own legacy being challenged.
“She knows I want to beat her,” Stewart told Sudeikis. It is a rivalry that has moved from the history books into public view. amplified by the reality that Stewart is still in the thick of her prime. Beyond the individual trophies—including two WNBA MVP seasons. eight All-Star selections. and the 2026 World Cup MVP award—Stewart is playing with a singular focus on rewriting the record books entirely. “I want to beat all the records,” she noted.
This ambition comes at a volatile moment in Stewart’s 2026 season. While she averaged 27.5 points per game during the playoffs. the New York Liberty currently face a 1-0 deficit against the Atlanta Dream following a 92-82 loss in Game 1. With Game 2 set for October 7. the immediate pressure of the postseason is colliding with her long-term goal of surpassing her mentor’s career. As she stood on the court at Chase Center in San Francisco on June 28. 2026. the contrast was clear: the history she is chasing is as present as the game currently in front of her.
Breanna Stewart Sue Bird WNBA New York Liberty basketball records USA Women's National Team