Breanna Stewart apparently impacts the world forever every time she plays, and the Freedom’s 89-71 triumph over the Mercury on Sunday at Barclays Center was no special case.
According to research conducted by ESPN Stats & Information, Stewart became the first player in WNBA history to record at least 200 points, 100 rebounds, and 40 assists in her first ten games of the season. She also posted season highs of 14 rebounds, seven assists, and 28 points.
Stewart knew what her mindset needed to be going into Sunday after a loss to the Atlanta Dream in which she scored four points and was 1-for-14.
Stewart stated, “I wanted to make an assertive effort to be aggressive,” particularly at the beginning of the game, and “hopefully have everyone follow.” As was the case in the most recent game, the ball does not always land in the basket. Things sort of level out, according to the law of averages.
The Liberty’s aggressiveness definitely paid off, as they went on a 7-0 run to start the game, prompting a Mercury timeout from the depleted Mercury, who were playing without stars Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner.
Due to injuries, both were sidelined.
Breanna Stewart became the first player in WNBA history to record at least 200 points, 100 rebounds, and 40 assists in her first ten games of the season against the Mercury. She also had season-highs of 14 rebounds, seven assists, and 28 points.
NBAE via Getty Images Stewart, who scored 12 points halfway through the first quarter, was honed in from the start.
However, in the absence of lead guard Sabrina Ionescu, the team’s initial focus on facilitating for her teammates was what got it moving.
The four-time All-Star stated, “With Sabrina being out, we were actually practicing me running some of the point guard a little bit.” Most of the time, a lot of people are looking at me, so you can find the slipper or the person who is open in the corner.”
Stewart quickly realized that cutting teammates helped him accumulate assists.
Forward Jonquel Jones, who received a lot of Liberty ball movement, was one of those teammates. She scored 13 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, a season-best, for her first double-double of the season.
In the first half, the home team went on separate 13-5 and 14-3 runs to take a commanding 53-34 lead.
Stewart had 23 points, seven rebounds, and five assists at the half.
With an 11-0 run in the fourth quarter, the Mercury reduced their deficit from 19 points to eight, but Stewart made a free throw to end the drought.
Phoenix was unable to launch another significant assault.
Sophie Cunningham, a guard for the Mercury, led her team with 27 points, including five 3-pointers.
During that stretch in the fourth quarter, she contributed nine of the team’s 11 points.
The Liberty won the game with a 14-5 run to claim their seventh victory.
Topics #Atlanta Dream #historic performance. #most recent game
