The New York Liberty suffered a massive blow as two-time WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart was ruled out of the rest of Saturday's game against the LA Sparks. Stewart went to the locker room after suffering a lower leg injury midway through the opening quarter.As the Liberty went back on defense, Stewart was seen motioning to the New York bench as she ran slowly. After LA's Kelsey Plum sank a corner 3-point shot, Liberty coach Sandy Brondello called a timeout. Head athletic trainer Terri Acosta immediately tended to Stewart.The seven-time WNBA All-Star logged just 3:27 minutes and had three points and one rebound.Stewart has been key to New York's title defense this season. The three-time WNBA champion is averaging 19.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks on 46.9% shooting in 23 games.Stewart's injury is a huge blow for New York, which had just reserve center Nyara Sabally on the injured list. The defending champions recently got 2024 WNBA Finals MVP Jonquel Jones back from injury. Jones made her return on Tuesday against the Caitlin Clark-less Indiana Fever.Before playing in the Liberty's last three games, Jones appeared in just nine games due to a right ankle injury.Sandy Brondello praises Breanna Stewart ahead of the game against LABefore the New York Liberty hosted the LA Sparks on Saturday, Liberty coach Sandy Brondello spoke to reporters and praised Breanna Stewart's contributions this season.Brondello's comments were shared on X by Liberty reporter Lucas Kaplan."Her role is everything," Brondello said. "Stewie rebounds, she runs, it's like, 'Stewie, bring the ball up. Stewie, organize us. Stewie, play defense.' It's everything, and you know, those players don't come around very often."The Liberty came into Saturday's game owners of the league's longest active win streak at five games. That distinction now belongs to LA, as Rickea Jackson hit a game-winner to give the Sparks a 101-99 win. They won their fifth straight game to improve to 11-14.With the loss, New York dropped to 17-7. Sabrina Ionescu led the Liberty in Breanna Stewart's absence with 30 points on 12-for-22. Natasha Cloud added 22 points, while Jonquel Jones had 14.New York will return to action on Monday against Paige Bueckers' Dallas Wings.