Breanna Stewart powers short-handed Liberty to a season-opening rout of Sun

TL;DR

Breanna Stewart scored 31 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, leading the New York Liberty to a 106-75 victory over the Connecticut Sun in their season opener. The Liberty played without key players Sabrina Ionescu, Rebecca Allen, and Satou Sabally due to injuries.

Key points

Breanna Stewart scored 31 points and had 10 rebounds
New York Liberty won 106-75 against Connecticut Sun
Liberty played without Sabrina Ionescu and other key players
Julia Vanloo contributed 12 points and 11 assists
Liberty celebrated the league's 30th anniversary

Breanna StewartSabrina IonescuRebecca AllenSatou Sabally

NEW YORK (AP) — Breanna Stewart had 31 points and 10 rebounds to help the short-handed New York Liberty open their season with a 106-75 rout of the Connecticut Sun on Friday night. Marine Johannes added 17 points for New York, which was missing star guard Sabrina Ionescu, who is out with a left foot injury she suffered last Sunday in a preseason game against the Sun. Rebecca Allen has a left leg injury and Satou Sabally has a cyst. Both free-agent additions missed the opener as well. New York still ran away from Connecticut early, going up 36-13 after the first quarter. Stewart had 10 points in the opening period, making all four of her shots. Julia Vanloo, who the Liberty signed as a hardship player a night before the game since they were down to seven available players, had seven points in the first quarter. Vanloo finished with 12 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds. The Liberty played a touching tribute video after the first quarter for former player Kennedy Burke, who is now with the Sun. She received a standing ovation from the sellout crowd as tears streamed down her face. Connecticut never got back in the game after the initial onslaught. It was 66-37 at the half — the Liberty’s highest-scoring first half in three years. scored 16 points to lead Connecticut and added 13 in her Sun debut. The Liberty were celebrating the league's 30th anniversary as one of its original franchises. New York used a retro court design from the franchise's time at Madison Square Garden. The Liberty also brought out beloved former mascot Maddie, to the delight of the crowd. Liberty Ring of Honor member Kym Hampton sang the national anthem. \\_ AP WNBA:

Q&A

What were Breanna Stewart's stats in the season opener against the Sun?

Breanna Stewart scored 31 points and recorded 10 rebounds in the game.

Why were key players missing from the New York Liberty's season opener?

Sabrina Ionescu, Rebecca Allen, and Satou Sabally were out due to injuries.

What was the score at halftime in the Liberty vs. Sun game?

The score at halftime was 66-37 in favor of the Liberty.