Breanna Stewart seeks redemption with her second straight WNBA Finals appearance

New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to complete her redemption tour as the franchise seeks its first championship when the WNBA Finals begin Thursday.

The Liberty lost to the Las Vegas Aces in the finals last year, Stewart's first season with the team. Stewart, a former No. 1 overall pick, struggled in the postseason, averaging the worst points per game and field goal percentage in the playoffs. She particularly struggled in the championship round, averaging just 16.3 points per game on 36.2% shooting from the field.

However, her playoff appearance last year was overshadowed by personal tragedy, as her father-in-law died just three days before the finals began – and a few weeks before the birth of her second child.

For their team, the Finals defeat was New York's fifth loss in five games, making the Liberty the holder of two ignominious titles: the franchise with the most Finals appearances without a win and the only original WNBA franchise without a championship.

Stewart has bounced back this postseason, increasing both her scoring average to 20.0 points per game and her field goal percentage to 43.3%.

And she's already earned some revenge when the Liberty eliminated Las Vegas on the way to the final. Not only did the Aces win the series last year, but coach Becky Hammon also mocked Stewart for her subpar performance in the final game during the championship celebration.

“Three-on-17 is something you have to talk about,” Hammon told Las Vegas guard Kelsey Plum during the celebration, referring to Stewart’s shooting stats in the elimination loss.

This year, Stewart achieved the knockout – a year and a day after her father-in-law's death.

“No matter what happens, it's a really difficult time,” Stewart said on the night New York secured a place in the final. “And just like the series went last year, going through all of that and making sure this year is different. Marta (Stewart's wife) and I talk about doing everything her father would want us to do. And you know, I have receipts for the things that were said – the whole team has them. My mindset today was to go ahead and get this win for my wife and her dad.”