Stewart pinpoints – Breanna Stewart broke down the New York Liberty’s 91-78 home loss to the Dallas Wings on Sunday, after Paige Bueckers scored 24 points against them. Stewart traced it to problems getting to the paint, finishing opportunities, and a second-half lineup that stil
Sunday night didn’t go the way the New York Liberty needed, and Breanna Stewart’s assessment didn’t pull any punches.
In a 91-78 defeat at home, Stewart watched Paige Bueckers drop 24 points and saw her team fall into another stretch of inconsistency—one more loss after a season that has already had its share of both wins and defeats.
Stewart, now in her 11th year in the WNBA and in her fourth season with the Liberty, knows what this franchise looks like when it’s firing on all cylinders. She helped lead New York to the championship in 2024. But after Sunday’s loss, she zeroed in on what went missing in the details.
“‘We’re trying to get to the paint, and knowing that the paint will open up a lot of other shots. I think 20-of-43 is not a great percentage when you’re so close to basket. so we need to do a better job of executing and finishing the plays. When they started the different lineup in the second half, we know who these players are. It’s just there’s a sense of urgency that’s lacking. And luckily. when you have games and losses like this. a quick turnaround is very helpful. even though back-to-backs aren’t the easiest. ” Stewart said after the game.
The message was clear: get inside, make it count, then respond fast enough when the game shifts.
For all the Liberty’s defensive and tactical challenges, four players scored in double figures for New York in the loss, and Stewart was among them. She finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
Satou Sabally led the Liberty with 20 points and two assists. Jonquel Jones added 14 points and seven rebounds. Sabrina Ionescu contributed 11 points and seven assists.
The results left New York at a 3-3 record on the season and positioned the team in the Eastern Conference standings, holding the fourth spot. The Liberty sit above the Toronto Tempo and the Washington Mystics, while trailing the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever.
But the next step is immediate, and Stewart’s comments about a quick turnaround landed for a reason. The Liberty will stay at home for their next matchup, hosting the Portland Fire on May 25 at 8 p.m. ET, looking to turn this home loss into momentum—this time with consecutive wins instead of more swings.
Breanna Stewart New York Liberty Dallas Wings Paige Bueckers WNBA 91-78 May 25 Portland Fire
91-78 and she still had 11 rebounds? That’s crazy, but like why were they losing at home then?
Sounds like Stewart is blaming the “urgency” thing? I swear every team says that when they’re cold. Also Paige Bueckers scoring 24 vs them… that’s not just a little problem, that’s the whole game.
Wait so the Liberty are 3-3 but still “holding the fourth spot”?? I don’t get how the math works in standings. And “get to the paint” like… just walk there? lol. Back-to-backs aren’t easy but that seems like an excuse.
“Urgency vanished” is such a dramatic phrase, but I kinda feel like it’s always the same story with them. They can’t finish, can’t execute, then suddenly second half lineups mess everything up. Portland Fire next?? Hopefully the quick turnaround really fixes it because 20-of-43 sounds rough even if Stewart tried to do everything.