New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart is not ready to let go of her 2024 WNBA title amid challenges from upstarts like Caitlin Clark and the fast rising Indiana Fever
Breanna Stewart’s Liberty and Caitlin Clark’s Fever figured to be amongst the favorites for the 2025 WNBA title (
A strong offseason has seen Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever open as the third favorites to capture the 2025 WNBA Title.
The only problem? One of the two teams they’re stuck behind is the 2024 champion New York Liberty . Breanna Stewart , a two-time WNBA MVP and six-time All-Star, didn’t seem prepared to wrestle away the championship trophy easily at the Liberty’s celebratory parade in lower Manhattan last fall.
“We’re not done yet but we’re gonna appreciate the —- out of this,” the 30-year-old forward declared. While Stewart is technically unsigned, all reports assert she’ll return to New York for a third season in 2025. Pending her return, the Liberty’s rotation seems poised to remain unchanged from last year to this season.
Clark and the Fever will build upon a strong platform: the team went 20-20 in 2024 and broke their eight-year playoff drought thanks to their star rookie. The 2024 Rookie of the Year averaged 19.2 points per game and a league-best 8.4 assists to finish fourth in the league’s MVP vote. she also became the first rookie in WNBA history to capture a Player of the Month award.
Clark will once again be joined by Kelsey Mitchell, the Fever’s top scorer a season ago. Mitchell tested free agency but ultimately decided to re-sign with Indiana. The star duo will be joined by a trio of key offseason additions: Natasha Howard, DeWanna Bonner, and Sophie Cunnington (acquired via trade).
Howard averaged 17.6 points and 6.7 rebounds with the Dallas Wings a season ago. Now, she’ll return to the team that drafted her over a decade ago in the first round of the 2014 Draft. Bonner averaged 15.0 points and 6.0 rebounds a season ago with the Connecticut sun to make her sixth All-Star game.
Breanna Stewart didn’t hold back during the 2024 Liberty championship parade (
Image:
Getty Images)
The two-time WNBA champion may come off the bench for the Fever, which shouldn’t be a problem considering she’s captured three Sixth Woman of the Year awards. The 37-year-old spoke effusively of Clark during her Fever welcome interview.
“I couldn’t be more excited to step on the floor with Caitlin,” Bonner admitted. “I hope that I can give her some knowledge and take her game to a bigger level, so when I retire, she can pass that along to other players.”
She also emphasized her goal for next season. “I want to win a championship,” Bonner said. “I want to win another championship. I want to get back to the Finals, first and foremost.”
