WNBA Odds: Breanna Stewart injured, Liberty looking to bounce Mercury from playoffs

The New York Liberty were the only road team to win Game 1 in the first round of the WNBA playoffs, but it came at a cost as they lost star forward Breanna Stewart to a knee injury.

Here’s everything we know about Stewart’s status ahead of Game 2 on Wednesday.

Make sure to check out Sports Interaction’s complete list of WNBA game odds and WNBA futures.

Breann Stewart injury

Stewart suffered a left knee injury midway through overtime in New York’s Game 1 first-round playoff win over the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday.

Despite the injury, Stewart finished as the second-highest scoring player in the game with 18 points.

Stewart was injured when she attempted a driving layup on the baseline. She made the shot but was fouled, landing on the court and immediately grabbing her knee. The two-time MVP stayed in the game for another 54 seconds before asking to be subbed out with the Liberty ahead seven points.

New York coach Sandy Brondello said after the game that Stewart would need further evaluation and the severity of the injury was unknown.

“We’ll just be hoping that she’ll be OK,” Brondello said.

Game 2 on Wednesday

The good news is the best-of-three series now shifts to New York for Game 2 on Wednesday night, giving Stewart an extra day to rest.

The injury bug has bit the Liberty hard this season. Stewart already missed a month after suffering a bone bruise in her right knee in late July. In addition to Stewart, Jonquel Jones missed significant time early in the season with a sprained ankle, while Sabrina Ionescu was out for a few games late in the year with a toe injury suffered in practice.

If Stewart can’t go for Game 2, New York has some depth with Emma Meesseman, who they signed last month. Meesseman won a WNBA championship with Washington in 2019 when she was also named Finals MVP.

The Liberty are -350 favourites to win the series, while Phoenix is a +280 underdog.