Breanna Stewart said the New York Liberty are not playing like champions, bluntly assessing her team's recent struggles after Saturday's 92-75 loss to the Phoenix Mercury.

The Liberty, who won the franchise's first championship in 2024, began this season with a 9-0 start but have fallen back to the pack. Following the defeat in Phoenix, New York's record dropped to 24-16, meaning the team is 15-16 since its perfect start.

The Liberty turned the ball over 19 times against the Mercury, leading to 26 Phoenix points. They were also outrebounded on the offensive glass and outscored 43-24 in the second half.

Stewart said those kinds of breakdowns are the difference between a contender and a pretender.

"I think what was said [in the Liberty locker room after the game] is, it's not good enough

See Full Page