Breanna Stewart pours in another historic performance vs. Mercury
Breanna Stewart seemingly makes history every time she plays, and the Liberty’s 89-71 victory over the Mercury on Sunday at Barclays Center was no exception.
Stewart poured in 28 points to along with season-highs of 14 rebounds and seven assists, becoming the first player in WNBA history to record at least 200 points, 100 rebounds, and 40 assists in her first 10 games of the season, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
Coming off a four-point, 1-for-14 performance in a loss against the Atlanta Dream, Stewart knew what her mindset needed to be heading into Sunday.
“I wanted to make an assertive effort to be aggressive,” Stewart said, “especially at the start of the game and hopefully have everyone follow. Sometimes the ball doesn’t fall in the basket and that’s what happened last game. Law of averages, things kind of even out a little bit.”
That aggressiveness certainly paid off for the Liberty as they started the game on a 7-0 run which quickly prompted a timeout from the depleted Mercury, who were playing without stars Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi.
Both were out with injuries.
Breanna Stewart scored in 28 points to along with season-highs of 14 rebounds and seven assists against the Mercury, becoming the first player in WNBA history to record at least 200 points, 100 rebounds, and 40 assists in her first 10 games of the season. NBAE via Getty Images
Stewart was honed-in from the jump, racking up 12 points halfway through the first quarter.
But it was the early focus on facilitating for her teammates that got the squad going in the absence of lead guard Sabrina Ionescu.
“With Sabrina being out, we were actually practicing me running some of the point guard a little bit,” the four-time All-Star said. “Usually a lot of people are looking at me and then you’re able to find the slipper or the person open in the corner.”
Stewart found cutting teammates early to start piling up assists.
One of those teammates was forward Jonquel Jones, who was a recipient of great Liberty ball movement and finished with 13 points and a season-best 11 rebounds for her first double-double of the season.
Jonquel Jones goes to the basket as Michaela Onyenwere defends during the first half at Barclays Center. Getty Images
Breanna Stewart reacts in game against the Phoenix Mercury. Michelle Farsi/New York Post
The home team had separate 13-5 and 14-3 runs in the first half en route to a commanding 53-34 lead.
Stewart ended the half with 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
The Mercury slashed a 19-point deficit to eight with an 11-0 run in the fourth quarter, but Stewart ended the drought with a free throw.
Phoenix wasn’t able to mount another meaningful push.
Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham scored 27 points to lead her team, including pumping in five 3-pointers.
She scored nine of the team’s 11 points during that fourth-quarter run.
The Liberty went on a 14-5 run to end the game and pick up their seventh victory.
Source: New York Post
