Liberty have wise plan for Breanna Stewart's recovery

The New York Liberty will be without star forward Breanna Stewart for the time being. However, head coach Sandy Brondello doesn't seem overly concerned about the timeline for the former UConn Husky. 

Brondello confirmed on Wednesday that Stewart is suffering from a bone bruise on her right knee. She was injured this past Saturday in the Liberty's 101-99 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks.

Brondello wouldn't put a firm timetable on Stewart's return. With 19 games left in the season, the coach seems more concerned about Stewart's status for the playoffs.

"We want to be smart with it," Brondello said on Wednesday before the Liberty played the Minnesota Lynx, according to Michael Voepel of ESPN. "If we can get her back at the end of August, I think that's great. It's big picture ... so when she's ready. But keep it fresh for the playoffs. I know she'll be back before then. How early she gets back before the end of the [regular] season, I don't know."

The Liberty are the defending WNBA champions and Stewart is a huge part of what they do. She's averaging 18.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game this season and had not missed a contest until this past Saturday's.

Stewart is a two-time WNBA MVP and has averaged 20.6 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in nine seasons. She won four national championships at UConn and has won three WNBA titles (two with the Seattle Storm).

It's tough to win back-to-back championships even when fully healthy, so the Liberty are smart to allow Stewart to take her time getting back to full strength.