Breanna Stewart Struggles with 3-Point Shooting in New York Liberty Season

Breanna Stewart, a player known for her exceptional shooting ability throughout her career, is facing a significant challenge this season with the New York Liberty. From her early days at Cicero-North Syracuse to her time at UConn and with the Seattle Storm, Stewart has consistently been a reliable shooter, particularly from beyond the arc. However, her performance this year has taken a sharp downturn.

While Stewart continues to excel in scoring within the arc, her proficiency from long range has drastically diminished. A look at her 3-point shooting percentages reveals a troubling trend: she started her WNBA career with a high of 41.5% in 2018 but has plummeted to just 24.1% this season. This decline follows her joining the Liberty in 2023, where her shooting struggles have become increasingly apparent.

Despite these issues, her overall shooting mechanics don't appear to be the problem. Stewart boasts an impressive free throw percentage of 89.4%, the best of her career. However, she has begun to attempt fewer 3-point shots, possibly indicating her awareness of her current struggles beyond the arc. At times, she seems hesitant, yet she can still dominate games, as demonstrated by her 30-point performance against the Indiana Fever, where she scored 23 points in the second half alone.

Stewart remains one of the premier talents in the league, but her 3-point shooting inconsistencies are a puzzling aspect of her game this season.