The New York Liberty’s quest to defend their first-ever WNBA championship came to a heartbreaking end Friday night, but in the disappointment of a season-ending loss, superstar Breanna Stewart delivered the three words fans desperately needed to hear. While the sting of elimination is fresh, Stewart’s clear signal about her future provides a crucial silver lining for a franchise aiming to get right back on top.
What Did Breanna Stewart’s Comment Reveal About Her Future?
In 2024, the New York Liberty made franchise history by defeating the Minnesota Lynx to capture their first WNBA championship. That victory provided a massive confidence boost heading into the 2025 season, as the Liberty compiled an impressive 27-17 record and secured their playoff berth with authority. However, Friday’s 79-73 Game 3 loss to the Phoenix Mercury brought their title defense to an abrupt end, despite Stewart’s valiant 30-point performance.
During the postgame press conference, reported by Madeline Kenney of The New York Post, Stewart was asked about the Liberty’s current state. While the question was broad, her answer grabbed all the attention. Without hesitation, Stewart smiled and said, “Well, I’m coming back.”
Although she didn’t dive into details, her words carried significant weight. Stewart is on another one-year contract with the Liberty, which is set to expire at the end of this season. Given the uncertainty surrounding her future, fans were relieved to hear her strongly suggest she’s not going anywhere. Her teammate Sabrina Ionescu followed Stewart’s remarks by stressing that the team’s locker room energy remains positive.
“We know the team never looks the same every single year, but I think that’s what’s really special about what you have in your locker room, like you can never really replicate that, year in and year out,” said Ionescu during the interview.
How Has Stewart Approached Free Agency in the Past?
Stewart has been no stranger to navigating free agency throughout her career. The Seattle Storm drafted her No. 1 overall in 2016, and she began with the standard four-year rookie contract through 2019 before hitting unrestricted free agency in 2020. She then signed a two-year extension with Seattle worth $375,500, which was extended again in 2022 for one season at $228,094. After another free agency stint, Stewart joined the Liberty on a one-year deal in 2023 worth $175,000.
She returned on a $205,000 deal in 2024 and again in March 2025, with a one-year, $208,400 contract. That deal expires at the season’s end, but Stewart’s declaration confirms she intends to re-sign with New York.
How Did Stewart Battle Through the 2025 Playoffs?
Stewart’s postseason this year was far from smooth. The superstar forward sustained an injury during Game 1 against the Mercury but demonstrated her determination by still contributing 18 points despite the setback. The injury occurred during a crucial overtime moment. She drove along the sideline, completed a contested layup while drawing a foul, but remained on the court clutching her knee before exiting with just over two minutes remaining. Medical evaluations later revealed that Stewart had suffered a sprained MCL.
Despite the setback, Stewart pushed through and suited up for Game 2. However, her injury clearly hampered her movement as she managed only six points and two rebounds in a lopsided 86-60 loss. Game 3 presented another uphill battle for the Liberty, who found themselves trailing by seven points after the opening quarter. Although they managed to generate some momentum during the second quarter, they still faced a four-point deficit at halftime.
The Mercury’s dominant second-half performance, in which they scored 34 points, proved too much for New York to overcome. The defeat ultimately ended their championship defense.
KAHLEAH COPPER WITH THE DAGGER TO SEND THE PHOENIX MERCURY TO THE SEMIFINALS 🔥
The Mercury eliminate the defending champ New York Liberty. pic.twitter.com/rOtBwdj9J4
— ESPN (@espn) September 20, 2025
While the Liberty’s championship defense ended prematurely, Stewart’s commitment provides significant optimism for the future. With their superstar set to return, New York will reload around its core and aim to reclaim the title in 2026.
Leave a Reply