WNBA and EuroLeague Women star goes down in the second quarter
Just weeks from the beginning of the WNBA season, reigning WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart was injured playing for Dynamo Kursk, her European club team.
With just seconds to go in the first half of the EuroLeague Women Finals against UMMC Ekaterinburg, Stewart suffered an undisclosed leg injury when she appeared to step on Brittney Griner’s foot. While the extent and nature of the injury are unknown, Stewart had to be helped off the court, though she remained at the arena through the end of the game.
[UPDATED APRIL 14, 7:54 PM EST: A source familiar with Stewart’s diagnosis has confirmed to High Post Hoops that the injury is, as feared, to her Achilles tendon. No word yet on extent of the injury or prognosis for recovery time.]
[UPDATED APRIL 16, 7:42 AM EST: Dynamo Kursk has announced that Stewart tore her Achilles tendon.]
Both the Seattle Storm and Stewart’s representatives have told High Post Hoops they’ll be updating once the extent of the injury in known.
breanna stewart landed on brittney griners foot during the euroleague title game and looked in serious pain
— #1 WNBA PODCAST (ON HIATUS) (@WEREONLIVE) April 14, 2019
not clear if it was ankle or knee but she was helped off the floor and put no weight on it pic.twitter.com/AO8ecTLtgJ
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Stewart has had a noteworthy season in the EuroLeague, earning the fans’ vote for the league’s Most Valuable Player. Performances like the 32-point effort she put together in the Final Four on Friday are the reason why. Having already won a WNBA title in the past 12 months, she was looking to add a EuroLeague Women title to her list of achievements on Sunday.
Griner, her opponent in both the EuroLeague and the WNBA, was visibly concerned on the court.
BG looked concerned about her @usabasketball teammate as Stewart is carried off the court after an awkward landing on Griner's foot 🙏. #EuroLeagueWomen@wnba pic.twitter.com/j5s5vSWW92
— EuroLeague Women (@EuroLeagueWomen) April 14, 2019
That concern was shared by players and executives across the WNBA who took to Twitter to offer prayers and well wishes to Stewart.
Damn it I’m sorry @breannastewart prayin for you 😪🙏🏼
— Kelsey Plum (@Kelseyplum10) April 14, 2019
Prayers up for @breannastewart 🙏🏼❤️ there is no game or win worth an injury like this.
— Amanda Zahui B. (@AmandaZahuiB) April 14, 2019
Hoping Stewie is ok.
— Amber Cox (@AmberLCox) April 14, 2019
Praying for Stewie 😭 that news just broke my heart! @breannastewart ❤️
— A'ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) April 14, 2019
In 18 EuroLeague games this season, Stewart scored 21 points per game. She added 7.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game to that stat line.
The 2016 WNBA Rookie of the Year scored 21.8 points per game on 52.9 percent shooting as she helped the Seattle Storm win the 2018 WNBA Championship. That went along 8.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game.
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