Breanna Stewart's brutal response to Sandy question

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WNBA superstar Breanna Stewart was incredulous when asked by a reporter about whether Australian Opals and New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello "should be here next year to coach you?" after the defending champions were eliminated from the 2025 playoffs.

Stewart, 31, was taken aback during the post game press conference and uttered: "What the [expletive]?"

The Liberty lost to the Phoenix Mercury 2-1 in the best of three series, falling 79-73 in Game 3 in Phoenix, Arizona.

"To anybody that questions Sandy being here — this is a resilient group, and she has our back and we have hers," Stewart declared.

"The way she dealt with the cards she was dealt was incredible.

"It wasn’t easy for anybody, but she came in every day with a positive attitude and mindset to put us in the best positions possible.

"We’re not going to be a team that points fingers. A lot of us could have done better this season, but we’re still going to fight and show up for each other every single day.

"That’s what’s most important. We have Sandy’s back."

The Liberty started their 2025 title defence 9-0 and Brondello had the champions rolling but injuries derailed the middle stretch of the season. New York finished 27-17 (18-17) in their last 35 games as Stewart and 2024 WNBA Finals MVP Jonquel Jones both missed 13 games and Ionescu missed six because of injury.

When they played together, the Liberty were 12-2 in 2025.

Brondello sat at the podium today, reflected on the challenges of defending a championship and the importance of resilience.

"Obviously we didn't live up to our expectations that we set out for ourselves being the defending champions," she said.

"It was hard to get any kind of rhythm. We faced so much adversity. I've had injuries with players before, but not quite like this year.

"Proud of these players —we hung in there.

"There were games when we knew we could be better and we weren’t. That's on us, finding more consistency regardless of who's on the court.

"We're disappointed — we wanted to try to win another one. We know that's really hard.

"But there's a lot you can learn as you prepare to move forward into a new season.

Obviously we're very, very disappointed, but I couldn't be more proud of just how we came out and competed today.

"But yeah, this will serve as motivation for this team as we move forward and continue to get better."

Brondello is contracted as the Australian Opals head coach for the Los Angeles Olympics and is one of the best coaches in the world but New York is brutal sports city. The New York Knicks stunningly fired Tom Thibodeau after losing in the 2025 NBA Conference Finals.

The question about Brondello's future was the last today and unsurprisingly changed the tone. Moments later Stewart, Brondello and Sabrina Ionescu then left the podium  as Stewart added: "I’m not saying, I’ll get fined."

New York Liberty — 2025 WNBA Season Recap

• Record: 27–17
• Win %: .614
• Games Back: 7 (from 1st place Minnesota)
• Home: 17–5
• Away: 10–12
• Conference: 15–5
• Points Per Game (PPG): 84.4
• Opponent PPG: 80.3
• Average Point Differential: +4.1
• Streak: Won 3 straight to close the season
• Last 10 Games: 6–4
• Playoffs: Clinched 5th seed — eliminated in the first round