The Liberty shocked the world in 2024, confetti flew, Spike Lee lost his mind, and Breanna Stewart limped off the court. That was October. It’s May 2025 now, and the champs are back for round two… but where’s Stewie? Still sidelined. Still silent. What’s going on with the face of New York basketball? Let’s unravel the mystery.

Before hot takes start flying and Twitter threads spiral into conspiracies, let’s call for a timeout.

According to Liberty beat reporter Alford Corriete, the official word for Breanna Stewart being benched in the May 9 preseason opener is just one word: “Rest.” But anyone who’s watched this game knows that sometimes “rest” is just code for “hold your breath.”

And it’s way more interesting, as according to Madeline Kenney of the New York Post, the real reason is less about load management and more about ligaments. “Stewart (knee) has been ruled out for Friday’s preseason opener against the Sun,” she reported—no euphemisms, no mystery, just that same right knee, the one that’s been sending warning signals since last fall.

A knee that just recently went through surgery. That’s what we’re really talking about.

Because if you rewind to that climactic Game 5 in October—while the confetti was falling and the champagne was on ice—some sharp-eyed fans caught a different storyline unfolding. Cassie Chantel posted on Instagram that Breanna Stewart didn’t look right.

Sue Bird was spotted having a hushed conversation with Stewart post game, eyes glued to her lower leg. Then came the question that would send chills down any athlete’s spine: “Did you hear a pop?” Stewart limped into the press conference, then limped right out.

Fast forward to March 2025, and the dots connect.

The two-time WNBA MVP had quietly undergone a meniscus procedure on that same right knee, as multiple reports confirmed. A minor scope, yes, but in basketball, there’s no such thing as a minor knee. The Liberty—reigning champs—opened training camp on April 27, but Stewart was on a different timeline. She wasn’t sprinting. She was rehabbing.

Ben Pickman reported on X (on April 27) that Stewart had only been a “limited participant” in early practices, post-surgery. But in typical Stewie fashion, she downplayed the concern. “Feeling great,” she told the media, noting that she expected to integrate more fully into live play the following week. And she thinks it all traces back to—you guessed it—Game 5. 

The Instagram post said it all: a hospital bed selfie with the caption, “Might or might not retire the leg sleeve but definitely getting rid of all that tape.” A classic Stewie move—one part chill, one part cryptic.

But here’s what isn’t cryptic: May 9 has arrived. It’s preseason, and Stewart won’t be suiting up. Again, “rest” is the official line. But “rest” feels more like a placeholder than a diagnosis. And meniscus surgery, no matter how minor the label, is very real.

Even the most straightforward recoveries from meniscal scopes take 4 to 6 weeks before a player can go full throttle. Stewart’s already showing positive signs—her recent practices suggest strong mobility, a smooth gait, and that familiar court presence. But the Liberty aren’t playing checkers; they’re playing chess. It’s not about Connecticut in May. It’s about who’s healthy in August.

So while the press release says “rest,” and the vibe says “nothing to see here,” the truth is layered. This is a player who gritted through the postseason on a compromised knee, closed out a title, then went under the knife.

She’s back. But not in a rush. Not at anyone’s pace—only hers. Stewie’s gearing up for her return against Oregon, but the Liberty aren’t throwing her into the fire just yet. They’re easing her in, giving her the space to reignite that championship-level fire on her own terms.

Stewart Cheers on Bird: A Legacy Continues

Now, as we wait for Breanna Stewart’s much-anticipated return to the court, a different kind of buzz is brewing in the world of USA Basketball. While Stewie rehabs, her longtime friend—and the first to check on her after the dramatic Game 5 of the 2024 championship—Sue Bird, just stepped into a whole new spotlight. Bird has been officially named the managing director of the women’s national team, and who better to celebrate that moment than Stewart herself?

Sitting just miles away at Barclays Center, Stewart couldn’t contain her pride for Bird’s monumental role. “It’s really cool for Sue to be the new managing director of USA Basketball,” Stewart said after practice. “Anytime that she’s a part of anything, I love it.”

As the USA Basketball Board of Directors officially appointed Bird to this game-changing position, Stewart was quick to share how much she’s looking forward to what’s next for Bird. The Liberty forward also confirmed her own commitment to Team USA, planning to participate in the 2024 FIBA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.

With Bird now responsible for assembling the national team for major international competitions, Stewart believes her recent teammate is uniquely qualified. “Not only does she have the player perspective, but she’s watching all the time and she knows the best pieces to put the puzzle together,” Stewart shared.

From their days winning titles in Seattle to making history together on the international stage, this is just the next chapter in a powerful partnership that will continue to shape USA Basketball’s future. Bird’s legacy only grows, and Stewart is right there, ready to be a part of it.