\u201cIt’s a perfect lead-up for me being with Team USA because it\u2019s doing whatever it takes and making sure my motor is hot,\u201d Stewart says. \u201cThere\u2019s not going to be many second chances, you know, you\u2019ve got to get it right on the first one, and I\u2019m going to do that. That\u2019s my intention.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Liberty\u2019s upcoming opponent will put Stewart and the Liberty to the test. Entering the postseason<\/a> as the bottom seed, New York is matched up against the top-seeded Lynx <\/a>in the first round. Minnesota will hold home-court advantage for the best-of-three series, while the Liberty enter the matchup with a 2\u20131 regular-season advantage over the Lynx.\u00a0<\/p>\n Coming off a first-round exit to the Mercury last season, Stewart wants to return to the chemistry that saw the Liberty take home the 2024 title. But now entering the 2026 postseason as the underdog and facing the 33\u201311 Lynx, she knows it\u2019s not going to be easy.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m excited for the challenge,\u201d Stewart said before the Liberty\u2019s opponent was determined. \u201cIt hasn\u2019t been all glittery and gold per se, but it\u2019s been worth it. I think that sometimes we forget we won the Commissioner\u2019s Cup; we have had that success. It\u2019s just maintaining that and keeping it consistent, and that\u2019s why I\u2019m excited to play.\u201d<\/p>\n Now returning to her WNBA routine after the FIBA World Cup in Berlin, Stewart is no stranger to adapting on the fly. She credits one of her favorite snacks and partner company, CLIF Bar, with keeping her fueled.<\/p>\n \u201cOn all the travels back from Berlin and whatnot, having the chocolate chip [CLIF] bar in my bag, making sure that I have the energy bites at halftime during the games, just in case I need a little bit of the extra push or a little bit extra of like a pump has been really helpful and supportive,\u201d Stewart says. \u201cThat’s something that’s been consistent throughout [my career], but especially this week.\u201d<\/p>\n With more travel on the horizon in the playoffs, Stewart is already locked in\u2014and taking down the red-hot Lynx will need every bit of fight.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to be road warriors,\u201d Stewart says. \u201cWe have a team that has enough experience and enough vets to really get the job done. I think the main thing is like focusing on ourselves, using that to go forward.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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