Breanna Stewart seeks redemption in second straight WNBA Finals apperance

Stewart struggled in the championship round lats year, averaging only 16.3 points per game on 36.2% shooting from the field.

New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart has a golden opportunity to complete her redemption tour as the franchise aims for its first championship when the WNBA Finals tip off Thursday.

The Liberty lost to the Las Vegas Aces in the Finals last year, Stewart’s first season with the team. Stewart, a former No. 1 overall pick, struggled during the postseason run, averaging career playoff worsts in points per game and field-goal percentage. She especially struggled in the championship round, averaging only 16.3 points per game on 36.2% shooting from the field.

Her playoff run last year was marred by personal tragedy, however, as her father-in-law died only three days before the start of the Finals — and a few weeks before the birth of her second child.

As for her team, the Finals loss was New York’s fifth defeat in five appearances, making the Liberty the holder of two ignominious titles: the franchise with the most Finals appearances without a win and the only original WNBA franchise without a championship.

Stewart has bounced back this postseason, increasing both her scoring average to 20.0 points per game and her field-goal percentage to 43.3%.

https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/wnba/breanna-stewart-liberty-wnba-finals-rcna174601

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