Breanna Stewart’s health and performance are the linchpins for the New York Liberty’s championship dreams—and her recent update has fans buzzing with hope. But here’s where it gets controversial: while her return to form is undeniable, her three-point shooting remains a glaring question mark. Let’s dive in.
If the Liberty aim to reclaim the title with their powerhouse trio of Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, and Stewart, they need the latter at her unstoppable best. Last season was a stark reminder of what happens when that’s not the case. Stewart’s 2025 campaign was marred by injuries—meniscus surgery, a bone bruise, and another knee injury in the playoffs—that sidelined her for 13 games and ultimately contributed to the Liberty’s early exit. Despite her heroic 30-point performance in Game 3 against the Mercury, the team’s season ended in disappointment, a far cry from their 2024 success.
And this is the part most people miss: the Liberty’s 2026 roster is far from set. Only Nyara Sabally and Leonie Fiebich are under contract, though GM Jonathan Kolb has expressed confidence in re-signing Stewart, Ionescu, and Jones. If they return, expectations will skyrocket—and Stewart’s recent comments during her Unrivaled games suggest she’s ready to deliver. “I feel great,” she told Ros Gold-Onwude in an interview. “I’m getting back to my game, being a three-level scorer, and trusting my shots.”
Stewart’s resurgence in Unrivaled is hard to ignore. As a co-founder and one of the league’s biggest stars, she’s dominating the three-on-three format, averaging 18+ points per game, leading in rebounds, and logging the most minutes. Her size and versatility make her a matchup nightmare, as evidenced by her 22-point, 10-rebound performance against a Laces team featuring Alyssa Thomas, a defensive powerhouse.
But here’s the controversy: while Stewart’s efficiency is impressive, her three-point shooting remains abysmal. After a career-worst 24.1% from deep with the Liberty last season, she’s gone 1-for-15 in Unrivaled. Is this a temporary slump, or a deeper issue? If she can iron out this inconsistency during her time with the Mist, the Liberty could have a fully rejuvenated Stewart ready to lead another championship charge.
For Liberty fans, the sight of a healthy, confident Stewart is everything. But the question remains: can she fix her three-point shot in time? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—is Stewart’s return enough to guarantee a Liberty title, or is her shooting a red flag that could derail their dreams?
