Winning in the WNBA is rarely as simple as the final score suggests, and Breanna Stewart knows that better than most. The New York Liberty may have extended their winning streak to five with another victory, but according to Stewart, the game demanded far more grit and resilience than many might realize.

Speaking in the postgame press conference, a video of which was shared on the team’s YouTube channel, Stewart was quite pleased with how well the New York Liberty were able to absorb everything the Connecticut Sun threw at them throughout the contest.

“I think that we handled their punches pretty well. Very long game, very very choppy. But we just continue to play through it,” she said.

According to Breanna Stewart, the Sun looked highly motivated. And they showed just how badly they wanted the win in the way they competed from start to finish. And so it took a lot of effort to be able to get a win.

“It took a lot of toughness, I think,” she added. “Next woman up mentality, especially when you’re playing a team like Connecticut. They’re hungry for their wins. They want them and especially the opportunity to win at home, and they have people out too.”

Coming into the game, both teams were actually shorthanded, which made it a true “next woman up” battle. The Sun were missing their two biggest frontcourt anchors, Brittney Griner, who sat out due to a left rib strain, and Aneesah Morrow, who was sidelined with a left leg strain.

They still showed their hunger and fought aggressively on their home floor. The Liberty, in the same vein, were playing without star guard Sabrina Ionescu, who is out with back soreness, and late-scratch center Jonquel Jones, who picked up an illness.

And because of these injuries, role players on both sides had to step into massive roles. Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Aaliyah Edwards stepped up for Connecticut. Both scored season highs of 15 points to help carry the Sun’s offense. And for the Liberty, Han Xu stepped up. She made her first career WNBA start in place of Jones and delivered a crucial 14 points.

But as usual, it was Breanna Stewart who made the biggest difference on the night. She contributed 28 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals to the Liberty’s 89-80 victory. And with that, they now sit at an 8-4 record this season. Up next is a meeting with the Atlanta Dream. A win there will take them to six wins in a row.

Breanna Stewart Reflects on Connecticut Sun’s Impending Departure

This 2026 season marks the last season that the Connecticut Sun will play their home games at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, which has been their home since 2003. For Breanna Stewart and the New York Liberty, they will have one more opportunity to play in the arena in August before the franchise moves to Texas in 2027.

Speaking in the postgame press conference, Stewart described how it felt playing against the Sun in what could be one of her final visits to the arena before the relocation.

“I think, honestly, knowing that we had one more here tonight didn’t make it as emotional. But definitely a bittersweet moment,” she said.

Stewart also recalled many of the memories she has built on that court over the years: “You know, it’s really sad to see the team move on. But happy for all the memories here that I played, whether it was at UConn or playing against the Sun.”

And of course, Breanna Stewart has a deep, historic connection to Connecticut basketball and Mohegan Sun Arena. She played her college career for the University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies. She led the Huskies to four consecutive NCAA National Championships from 2013 to 2016.

She made history by winning the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four all four times. During those years in college, UConn frequently played regular-season games and conference tournament matchups directly on the floor at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Amidst all the nostalgia and memories, Stewart still nurtures the hope that basketball games will continue at the arena even after the Sun’s departure.

“Maybe hopefully there’s going to still be more games here, whether it’s a one-off or things like that,” she said.

For Stewart, the fans absolutely deserve it because of the special connection they have built with the arena.