Breanna Stewart has continued to provide MVP-level impact as she leads the New York Liberty. As one of the league’s best players, her influence on both ends of the floor has kept the team in contention for a WNBA championship.
Stewart’s 6’4 height and 7’1 wingspan allow her to be a consistent defensive juggernaut. Her physical tools, combined with elite court awareness and agility, make her an intimidating paint presence. Stewart has only averaged less than one block per game in a season once in her career. At the All Star Break, she’s averaging 1.4 blocks per game, ninth highest in the league.
Stewart’s excellence on defense sometimes gets taken for granted, but she still manages to wow people with her greatness.
“She’s a defensive playmaker,” Liberty head coach Chris DeMarco said. “There’s plenty of players that can score the ball in every league around the world. Stewie just does it on the defensive end. She anchors the defense with her communication, versatility.”
Along with A’ja Wilson, she is one of the few players who can be defined as a true positionless defender. Her length and defensive instincts help her defend smaller guards, making her invaluable to Coach Demarco’s switch-heavy scheme.
While Sabrina Ionescu was out with an ankle injury, Stewart’s excellence kept the team afloat. The front-court combination of Stewart and Jonquel Jones has made it challenging for opposing players to finish at the rim.
Stewart dials long distance
When regarding her offense, Stewart is still undoubtedly one of the most versatile scorers in basketball. Despite her tall height, she possesses guard-like skills to help orchestrate the Liberty’s offense. She also excels in the pick-and-roll, making her an excellent partner to Ionescu’s playmaking. With both players able to stretch the floor, they make an incredibly dangerous duo.
Stewart’s three-point shooting has declined in recent years. She has shot below 30% from deep since 2024 and is currently shooting 26.8% this season. Stewart’s shooting form consists of a lower dip, which heavily relies on her lower-body strength. Knee injuries, such as the MCL sprain in the 2025 playoffs, have unfortunately taken away some of her power to shoot from range.
Despite the struggles, she is working to improve it.
“Listen, I think that the work that I put in, it’s gonna show,” Stewart told the New York Post. “You never know when but kind of continuing to make sure that [Andrew Wade] and I are in the gym, but also mindset and mentality to want to be aggressive, want to shoot the ones I shot today and yeah, being intentional, focusing on the things of, like, not wanting to be short.”
It is worth noting that Stewart’s midrange efficiency and paint touch remain elite. So far this season, she has converted 51.9% of her two pointers as well as 48.7% on shots 3-10 feet from the rim. Her incredible touch around the basket has allowed her to remain a dynamic scorer. Stewart is comfortable in using a variety of floaters and bank shots, making her a post threat against even the best defensive bigs in the league.
As a two-time MVP, Breanna Stewart is playing at a high level and not taking her foot off the pedal. When asked about Stewart’s consistent intensity, Demarco replied, “I’m so happy she’s an All-Star starter, because that’s one of the things about her: She brings it every night.”
As Breanna Stewart goes, so go the New York Liberty. Stewie’s greatness has helped them remain competitive and as the group looks for its second championship, Stewart will be essential to their goal. She continues to play at a high level, and the future Hall of Famer shows no signs of slowing down.