New York Liberty's Breanna Stewart and wife 'OK' after homophobic threats | WNBA

New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart and her wife Marta Xargay received anonymous threatening emails with homophobic content after Game 1 of the WNBA Finals.

The emails went directly to Xargay's account, which was somewhat unsettling for the couple, Stewart said at practice Tuesday.

“She had to realize that it was about Marta’s email. The level of closeness was a little different,” she said. “Make sure me and Marta are safe, but that our children are safest.”

Stewart had a chance to win Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, but missed one of two free throws and then a potential layup in overtime with 0.8 seconds left in regulation. In the end, Minnesota won the game and now the series is 1-1 heading into Game 3 on Wednesday night in Minnesota.

The two-time MVP said she informed the team about the emails and they forwarded them to league security.

“We are taking the right precautions. I think the threats continue to increase after Game 1,” Stewart said. “We love that people are engaged in our sport, but not so much that there are threats, harassment or homophobic comments.”

The New York Post first reported the threats.

Stewart said Xargay lodged a complaint with police on the advice of the team and security.

“When you're in the finals and everything like that, it makes sense to submit something formal,” Stewart said.

The New York Police Department confirmed that it had received a report of serious harassment related to emails sent to “a 33-year-old victim.” The department's hate crimes task force is investigating, a spokesman for the department's media team said.

Stewart said that she doesn't normally look at most of the messages she receives and that they usually go to her agency, but after it was brought to her attention by her wife, she wanted to let fans know that there is no place for that.

“For me it is unacceptable to use this platform to let people know that it enriches our sport,” she said.

This season there have been many more online threats to players via social media and email.

“We continue to emphasize that there is absolutely no place for hateful or threatening comments about players, teams or anyone associated with the WNBA,” a WNBA spokesperson said. “We are aware of the recent matter and are working with league and team security and law enforcement on appropriate security measures.”

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed the increasing number of attacks players have faced on social media in her State of the League address before Game 1.

She said there is no place for it and the league will work with the players' union to see what they can do together to address it. Engelbert mentioned technology and mental health help.

“It's just something that we have to continue to be a voice for, a voice against, condemn it and make sure that we find every opportunity to support our players who have been dealing with this for much longer than this year.” said Engelbert.