Breanna Stewart’s postseason performances are nothing short of legendary, and her New York Liberty teammate Courtney Vandersloot has come to expect nothing less. “This is Stewie doing Stewie,” Vandersloot said, after Stewart delivered a commanding 34-point performance in Game 1 of the semifinals against the Las Vegas Aces.
But Stewart’s playoff journey hasn’t always been smooth. Last season, she struggled to find her shot and fell short of leading the postseason field in scoring for the first time in her career. Her early exit from the playoffs marked a rare defeat, having never lost a championship game at the NCAA or WNBA level before. Reflecting on that tough moment, Stewart said, “I had a tremendous, unfortunately, a lot of time to reflect about last year’s postseason… But with that, I don’t forget who I am and what I can do.”
Now, redemption is on the horizon as the Liberty face the Aces once again. Stewart reminded everyone why New York is dubbed “Stew York” with her 34-point showcase, adding five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block in an 87-77 victory. It was her first 30-point playoff game in a Liberty uniform, further solidifying her postseason dominance.
While Stewart carries high expectations, Vandersloot emphasized that the pressure doesn’t fall on her alone. “Stewie’s gonna have to be great for us to win this series, and she knows that,” Vandersloot said. Jonquel Jones, an MVP still chasing her first title, echoed this, praising Stewart but stressing that the team needs to support her. “It shouldn’t just fall on her to have 30-plus points every game for us to win.”
The Liberty’s chemistry, lacking in last year’s Finals, was evident in Game 1. Stewart’s 20 first-half points brought energy to the court, and Sabrina Ionescu’s clutch 10 points in the final stretch sealed the victory. Ionescu’s 30-foot three-pointer, celebrated courtside by Spike Lee, sent Barclays Center into a frenzy.
As Stewart continues her quest for redemption, she stands poised to lead the Liberty to their first-ever WNBA championship. Vandersloot summed it up perfectly: “She performs at her best when the lights are bright. And that’s something we saw tonight.”