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The news the basketball world has feared has come to pass. Breanna Stewart’s right leg injury has been confirmed as a torn Achilles tendon, according to Dynamo Kursk, via EuroLeague Women’s Twitter account.
Although a prognosis for he recovery has not been provided, she is almost certain to miss the entire 2019 WNBA season.
.@KurskBasket have stated @BreannaStewart has suffered a torn achilles. We would like to wish Stewie a speedy recovery . We can't wait to see her back in action. #EuroLeagueWomen pic.twitter.com/eY8y8AWuGh
— EuroLeague Women (@EuroLeagueWomen) April 16, 2019
Original story appears below:
Seattle Storm forward and reigning WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart suffered a right foot injury with less than a minute remaining in the second quarter of the EuroLeague Women championship for Dynamo Kursk against UMMC Ekaterinburg on Sunday, April 14, in Sopron, Hungary.
Stewart landed on Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner’s foot and felt sharp pain in her ankle. She was carried off from the court and did not return.
You can watch the play here.
UMMC won the game and the FIBA EuroLeague Women championship, 91-67.
According Paul Nilsen of FIBA, the injury is a torn Achilles’ tendon. If this is the case, Stewart will miss the entire 2019 WNBA season since such injuries can take up to one year to heal and rehabilitate.
⚠️TORN ACHILLES ⚠️
— Paul Nilsen: WBB Consultant (@basketmedia365) April 14, 2019
Looks like a bad one for @breannastewart #EuroLeagueWomen #WNBA pic.twitter.com/7Jcp6BbdDk
However, there will also be no official announcement from Stewart until Monday, according to her agent, as reported by ESPN’s Mechelle Voepel.
According to her agent, we may not have official word on Breanna Stewart's injury until tomorrow. Obviously, the video looks bad. Everyone is hoping for the best for the 2018 WNBA MVP.
— Mechelle Voepel (@MechelleV) April 15, 2019
WNBA players were quick to react on social media when learning about the bad news.
Prayers up for @breannastewart ❤️ there is no game or win worth an injury like this.
— Amanda Zahui B. (@AmandaZahuiB) April 14, 2019
Praying for you Stew ♥️ Minor set back for a major come back ! Love you ! @breannastewart
— Moriah Jefferson (@_BonnBonn) April 14, 2019
Damn it I’m sorry @breannastewart prayin for you
— Kelsey Plum (@Kelseyplum10) April 14, 2019
Man prayers up for @breannastewart .... sending my prayers up ❤️❤️❤️
— Lynetta Kizer (@Lkizer12) April 14, 2019
For Seattle fans, Stewart’s injury is devastating news, and a blow to the WNBA in general.
The Storm are coming off a 2018 WNBA championship with Stewart winning the league’s regular season and Finals MVP awards. Seattle still has a strong nucleus with point guard Sue Bird and forward Natasha Howard. But if Stewart is out, it seems unlikely the Storm will repeat as champions this season.