Storm superstar Stewart ruled out for knockout game vs. Mercury
As the Seattle Storm prepare to defend their 2020 title in earnest, superstar forward Breanna Stewart will remain sidelined.
Stewart is officially out of Sunday's single-elimination knockout game against the visiting Phoenix Mercury due to the left foot injury she suffered earlier this month. The 27-year-old was initially shut down for the remainder of the regular season on Sept. 10 but was set to be re-evaluated prior to the start of the playoffs.
No other players were listed on Seattle's injury report Saturday.
Stewart, a two-time champion and 2018 regular-season MVP, remained the Storm's bedrock this season, leading the team with 20.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game.
The Mercury could be without a key player, too. After missing Thursday's win over the New York Liberty, Diana Taurasi - the WNBA's all-time leading scorer - is once again questionable to play due to a lingering left ankle injury.
The Storm (21-11) went 2-1 in the season series versus the Mercury (19-13), including a win in Seattle's regular-season finale when Stewart was out of the lineup. The home side won all three games.