WNBA News: Liberty star Breanna Stewart offers harsh self-criticism after loss to Storm

While the New York Liberty still hold a comfortable lead atop the Eastern Conference, the final stretch of their WNBA season has left a bitter taste. Six losses in their last nine games — the most recent one to the Seattle Storm — have raised some red flags. And Breanna Stewart knows she needs to significantly elevate her game to better support her teammates.

Following the 79–70 loss to Noelle Quinn’s squad, the former league MVP in 2018 and 2023 didn’t hide her frustration — not just with the final score, but with her own underwhelming individual performance.

In her postgame remarks to the media, Stewart placed clear emphasis on her own performance — one that was undeniably a key factor in the outcome of the game.

“I think I just sucked and I can say that,” Stewart firmly stated. “I have no problem with [saying] that, but I gotta get my head on the rim, finishing some shots and not getting to the free throw line at all is kind of tough, so making the refs have to really call something.”

Skylar Diggins #4 of the Seattle Storm shoots a basket while being guarded by Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty during the first half at Barclays Center on July 06, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.

Giving credit to Seattle

In sports, losses aren’t always just about a team’s poor performance — sometimes, they’re also a testament to the opponent’s ability to rise to the occasion.

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Stewart’s experience in the WNBA allows her to hold herself — and the team — to a high standard. She didn’t shy away from sharp self-criticism regarding both her individual play and the team’s collective effort. At the same time, she was objective enough to acknowledge the credit Seattle deserves for executing down the stretch and securing the win.

“They made things tough,” Stewart said. “There was always someone there, whether it was a switch and then someone was coming behind or the blind side of catching the pass for a layup and someone coming in, but they did a great job and it was a good game for them.”

What’s next for the Liberty?

With the primary goal of getting back on the winning track and extending their positive record to widen the gap from the Atlanta Dream, these are the upcoming matchups the New York Liberty will need to face.

• vs Las Vegas Aces, July 8th
• vs Atlanta Dream, July 13th
• vs Indiana Fever, July 16th
• vs Indiana Fever, July 22nd
• vs Phoenix Mercury, July 25th