Three weeks ago, New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart felt she had reached a breaking point with her three-point shooting. Struggling with a 17.6 percent clip from beyond the arc through the team's first 17 games, Stewart decided to implement a financial disincentive with the help of Liberty director of player development Andrew Wade.
Stewart instructed Wade to fine her for every three-point attempt that fell short. Since this measure was put in place, Stewart has improved her three-point accuracy, shooting 7-for-16 from deep over her last five games. She reportedly paid Wade $20 for a short triple during a recent loss to the Dallas Wings.
This change appears to be paying off. Stewart opened Saturday's game against the Minnesota Lynx with a transition three-pointer and later drained another triple found at the top of the key by Sabrina Ionescu. On that particular day, she went 2-for-3 from beyond the arc.
"Listen, I think that the work that I put in, it’s gonna show," Stewart told The Post. "You never know when but kind of continuing to make sure that Drew and I are in the gym, but also mindset and mentality to want to be aggressive, want to shoot the ones I shot today and yeah, being intentional, focusing on the things of, like, not wanting to be short."
Despite Stewart's improved long-range shooting, rebounding continues to be an area of concern for the Liberty. Six of the Lynx's 15 offensive rebounds came in the fourth quarter of the recent game, contributing to Minnesota's advantage.
Marine Johannes described rebounding as an effort-based issue, while Jonquel Jones emphasized the importance of initiating contact with opposing players. Stewart acknowledged that it is a problem the team must address, noting the challenges posed by their zone defense in finding clear box-out assignments.
The Liberty currently allow 9.2 offensive boards per game, ranking seventh in the league in that category.
There has been no official update on Leonie Fiebich, who has missed the last two games due to left foot soreness. Fiebich underwent an MRI earlier in the week, and coach Chris DeMarco indicated that the team is seeking multiple opinions. DeMarco stated that the team does not believe the injury to be a fracture and is working to determine the root cause.