“We’re just hoping that she’ll be OK,” said Sandy Brondello when asked about Breanna Stewart’s injury in Game 1 of the first-round playoffs against the Phoenix Mercury — the very team she once coached to a championship. For the defending champions, the injury bug has been nothing short of cruel. After a blazing 9-0 start, many expected them to be firm favorites for back-to-back titles. But as the setbacks piled up, the Liberty no longer looked like the unstoppable force they once were. And now, with Stewart sidelined, their road to retaining the championship has only grown steeper.

This season hasn’t been kind to Stewie. She had already missed 13 games with a bone bruise on her right knee. And on Sunday, against the Mercury, she suffered another setback. Late in the fourth quarter of Game 1, Stewart went down on a layup attempt against Satou Sabally and DeWanna Bonner. Though she finished the play, she came down in visible pain, clutching her left knee. She stayed in to take the free throw but missed, then a few moments later, signaled to coach Sandy Brondello to take her out.

News has now emerged that Stewart is undergoing an MRI and additional testing today on the left knee injury, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. She also reported that it is not the same knee that caused Stewart to miss time earlier this season. A huge blow for the Liberty.

Fans are now stressing over Stewart’s injury, wondering just how long she’ll be sidelined. Thousands of reactions have already poured in across social media, all echoing the same concern. Here’s a look at some of those reactions after what is easily the biggest injury setback of the playoffs so far.

Fans react to Breanna Stewart’s injury

“Hated seeing Stewie go down. Hope it’s not serious. I’m rooting for y’all against the Mercury,” wrote one fan. Another added, “Hope she’s ok 🙏.” The Liberty still managed to grind out a 76-69 overtime win behind Natasha Cloud’s 23-point performance, but watching Stewart limp off the court was the last thing Liberty fans wanted to see in the playoffs. And their worry is justified. Remember the previous time Stewie got injured? The Liberty lost 8 of the 13 games she missed. That history alone explains why fans are so concerned right now.

One fan even posted a picture of Lexie Hull’s black eye from her collision with Gabby Williams, captioning it, “BREANNA STEWART YOU BETTER BE FINE 😭😭😭😭.” And honestly, that reaction makes total sense. We’re talking about a 2x WNBA MVP and Finals MVP — her presence on the court could 100% define the Liberty’s season from here on out. Even after missing a month’s worth of basketball action earlier this year with a bone bruise, Stewart still finished the regular season as the Liberty’s leading scorer, averaging 18.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game.

Another fan wrote, “Just wanted to let Breanna Mackenzie Stewart know that my knees are hers whenever she needs them.” And honestly, you get why fans feel this way. When Stewart came back from her bone bruise earlier in the season, she immediately dropped 19 points to help New York edge past Connecticut 81-79.“I felt great. I think that I was trying to get (coach) Sandy (Brondello) to let me play more minutes,” Stewart said. “I wanted to push it when I was out there. It was great to be back with the team.”

Her timely return helped the Liberty secure the 5th seed heading into the playoffs. Not ideal, but under the circumstances, it was the best they could manage. Injuries had piled up all season–Jonquel Jones missed 13 games, while even Sabrina Ionescu was sidelined for six.

But there was still some hope among the fans. After Ramona Shelburne’s update on Stewart, one fan tried to stay positive, writing, “That’s BIG STEW! Let her rest for Game 2, and only break glass in case of an emergency.” Shelburne noted that Stewart not only stayed on the court for about a minute and was walking, but also remained on the bench instead of heading straight to the locker room, which many took as a good sign. For now, though, everything hinges on the MRI results, and until then, all the Liberty can do is wait.

Fans will be desperately hoping Stewie is fit for Game 2. After all, the Liberty are undefeated this season in games where Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Sabrina Ionescu have all been healthy and on the floor together for the full game. The problem? That’s only happened 13 times. Without every member of the big three playing, the record drops to a worrying 15-17.

What do you think about Stewie’s injury? Will she be back for Game 2, or is this serious enough to rule her out for the rest of the season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!