Speaking before Thursday’s practice at the Barclays Center, Stewart reflected on the meaning of her World Cup MVP award, noting that her consistent greatness on the court is well‑known and that fans have simply grown accustomed to her high level of play.
During a ten‑day stint in Berlin with the U.S. national team, Stewart was a pivotal factor in the United States’ 5‑0 run of World Cup championships, delivering 22 points in the gold‑medal victory over France and posting tournament averages of 12.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.
With the international tournament concluded, Stewart’s focus has shifted back to the Liberty, who have already clinched a playoff berth but still have four regular‑season games left to solidify their seed, beginning with a matchup against league‑leading Minnesota Lynx after the break.
The Liberty sit two games behind the Atlanta Dream and seven games behind the Lynx, meaning they could finish anywhere from third to eighth in the standings depending on how they perform in the final stretch, which also includes two games against the Dream to close the season.
Head coach Chris DeMarco emphasized that, aside from injured forward Satou Sabally, the entire roster was present for practice in Brooklyn, underscoring the depth of the squad and the expectation that every player be ready to contribute.
Veterans Leonie Fiebich and Marine Johannes highlighted the challenge of re‑establishing chemistry after the hiatus, noting the team’s ups and downs this season and the importance of finishing strong.
Stewart drew a direct line between her World Cup experience and the Liberty’s upcoming games, insisting that the same “give 1,000 percent” mentality applies and that no player should hold back because the team has enough talent to step up at any moment.