Two-time regular-season MVP Breanna Stewart is expected to play Wednesday when the defending WNBA champion New York Liberty attempt to oust the visiting Phoenix Mercury in Game 2 of the teams’ best-of-three first-round play-off series.

Stewart scored 18 points, grabbed six rebounds, dished out four assists and had two steals in Game 1 on Sunday in Phoenix before spraining the MCL in her left knee in overtime as No. 5 seed New York went on to post a 76-69 victory over the fourth-seeded Mercury.

The 2016 WNBA Rookie of the Year and two-time WNBA Finals MVP didn’t practice Tuesday, but Stewart went through shootaround Wednesday and said "every day it's gotten better.”

“I wanted to make sure I tried in shootaround and barring anything crazy happening between now and (the game), that's my plan," Stewart said.

"I just want to make sure I wake up from my nap and don't feel (bad).”

Breanna Stewart told reporters that she plans to play in Game 2 of New York's playoff series against the Mercury.

Stewart revealed she's dealing with a sprained MCL that she sustained during the Liberty’s Game 1 win on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/f5XVVMugdr

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) September 17, 2025

Stewart, a three-time WNBA champion, appeared in 31 regular-season games and averaged 18.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks.

She was sidelined for a month after sustaining a bone bruise in her other knee in late July.

Game 3, if necessary, is scheduled for Friday in Phoenix.