Liberty Rest Breanna Stewart as Satou Sabally Enters Concussion Protocol

The New York Liberty will face a significant challenge when they take on the Seattle Storm after confirming that two of their biggest stars, Breanna Stewart and Satou Sabally, will not be available. The absences come as the Liberty continue one of the strongest starts in the WNBA, entering the matchup with a 12-6 record and preparing for the upcoming Commissioner’s Cup championship game.

While Stewart’s absence is part of a planned workload management strategy, Sabally’s situation has generated greater concern. The versatile forward was added to the league’s concussion protocol after taking a hit during New York’s recent victory over the Las Vegas Aces, creating uncertainty about when she will be able to return.

The injury update was somewhat unexpected given comments made by interim head coach Chris DeMarco after Tuesday’s game. At that time, DeMarco indicated Sabally had not entered concussion protocol, making the later designation a notable development for the Liberty.

Despite the setbacks, New York remains one of the WNBA’s top contenders midway through the season. Even so, losing two key contributors for a road matchup against Seattle presents another test of the team’s depth as it looks to maintain momentum before entering one of the most important stretches of its schedule.

1. Sabally’s Injury Raises New Concerns

Sabally’s status changed significantly following the Liberty’s latest injury report, with the forward officially ruled out after being placed in concussion protocol. The update followed a collision during the second quarter of New York’s win over the Las Vegas Aces. Although Sabally briefly remained in the game after taking the blow, she did not return for the second half. Initial comments after the contest suggested the injury was not expected to trigger concussion protocol, but further evaluation evidently led medical personnel to reach a different conclusion. The development is especially concerning because Sabally has previously dealt with concussion-related injuries. During the 2025 WNBA Finals while playing for the Phoenix Mercury, she missed Game 4 after entering concussion protocol, making this latest setback another issue the Liberty will monitor carefully. Player safety remains the league’s top priority in situations involving head injuries, and the concussion protocol requires athletes to progress through several medical evaluations before being cleared to return. As a result, there is currently no definitive timetable for Sabally’s comeback.

2. Stewart Receives First Scheduled Rest Day

Unlike Sabally’s injury-related absence, Stewart will miss Thursday’s contest for workload management. The Liberty listed the former league MVP as unavailable due to rest, marking her first regular-season absence of the year. The decision reflects the organization’s long-term approach as it manages one of the WNBA’s busiest schedules. Stewart has carried a significant workload throughout the season while continuing to serve as one of New York’s primary leaders on both ends of the floor. With the Liberty preparing for the Commissioner’s Cup championship and the second half of the regular season, preserving the health of veteran players has become increasingly important. Scheduled rest days are now common across professional basketball as teams attempt to reduce fatigue and minimize injury risk. Although Stewart’s absence removes one of the league’s premier talents from the lineup, it also provides an opportunity for other Liberty players to take on expanded responsibilities against a talented Seattle squad.

3. Liberty Lean on Depth During Key Stretch

Sabally joined New York during free agency with expectations that she would strengthen an already talented roster. While she has shown flashes of her versatility, injuries have limited her availability during her first season with the Liberty. Entering Thursday’s game, Sabally had already missed five contests and was averaging 10.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while playing 16.8 minutes per game. Her ability to contribute as both a scorer and defender has made her an important piece whenever healthy. Even with the absence of Sabally and Stewart, New York remains one of the deepest teams in the WNBA. The Liberty have consistently received contributions throughout the roster, a major reason they have established themselves among the league’s top teams heading into the midpoint of the campaign. The matchup against the Storm at Climate Pledge Arena offers another opportunity for New York to demonstrate that depth. While missing two stars is never ideal, the Liberty will hope their balanced roster can keep the team competitive as they await the return of two of their most important players.