Stewart out indefinitely with bone bruise in knee

New York Liberty star forward Breanna Stewart has been diagnosed with a bone bruise in her right knee, head coach Sandy Brondello said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Michael Voelpel.

The Liberty don't have a return timeline for Stewart.

The two-time MVP hurt her knee just minutes into the first quarter of New York's loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday. Stewart didn't play Monday in the Liberty's 92-82 loss to the Dallas Wings.

"We want to be smart with it," Brondello said ahead of Wednesday's WNBA Finals rematch against the Minnesota Lynx. "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."

Stewart is averaging 18.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.4 blocks, and shooting 46.9% from the floor in 24 starts this season.