The bad news just keeps coming for the Liberty. After losing two consecutive games against the Los Angeles Sparks and Dallas Wings—two teams the Liberty were supposed to beat—New York suffered a third consecutive defeat at the hands of Minnesota. On top of that, Breanna Stewart was diagnosed with a bone bruise in her knee, an injury that could keep her out for quite some time, and Kennedy Burke and Nyara Sabally will also miss several weeks.
Missing Stewart creates a string of problems for the Liberty. Stewart is the Liberty’s second-leading scorer and one of the best players in the league. Losing her means that around 18 points, six rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block per game are sitting on the sideline. Her absence will put a lot of pressure on Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones to step up their games, and on the role players whose minutes will increase.
Losing Stewart to an injury that could possibly keep her out until the playoffs, will also make incorporating Emma Meesseman more difficult once she joins the team. That shouldn’t be much longer. Meesseman reportedly underwent her physical on June 30.
Before Stewart’s injury, the Liberty had an easy, logical way to ease Meesseman into their system. Utilizing her as a sixth player, like the Mystics did during their title run, seemed to be the obvious decision. That has changed now.
Throwing Meesseman into the starting lineup right away could be challenging
With Breanna Stewart out, Sandy Brondello has to adjust the lineup. Against the Lynx, Marine Johannes stepped into the vacant starting spot. Kennedy Burke and Nyara Sabally were also out, limiting Brondello’s options. Johannes provided a nice scoring boost, sinking four 3-pointers. Nevertheless, this may not be the starting lineup Brondello will utilize going forward.
Talent-wise, sliding Emma Meesseman into Stewart’s spot while she is out makes the most sense. Meesseman is a WNBA Finals MVP and multi-time EuroLeague MVP. Starting her once she is with the team would avoid a noticeable talent drop-off.
However, the fit might be a little clunky at first. Meesseman knows Brondello and has played with Natasha Cloud before, but she also hasn’t played in the WNBA since 2022 and is coming into a completely new system. Having her come off the bench would allow her to ease into the system before becoming one of the team’s key players.
If Brondello elects to bring Meesseman off the bench at first, she is essentially left with two options for the starting lineup: Marine Johannes or Stephanie Talbot, who signed with the team after the All-Star break and has played big minutes since. Both are evidently players Brondello trusts but starting either would give up a lot of size and production compared to Stewart.