“We’re friends, business partners, and former teammates… but now we’re enemies.”

When Breanna Stewart says this, it’s not just pre-game hype. It’s the reality of a high-stakes battle against Napheesa Collier, her close friend and former UConn teammate. Together, they conquered NCAA titles and stood side by side for the USA Women’s National Team. But now, they stand on opposite ends of the court, with more than just a game on the line.

For Stewart, returning to New York meant more than joining a new team—it meant coming home. It’s about giving the Liberty their first WNBA championship and delivering the city’s first pro basketball title in 50 years. “We’re ready to make history,” she says, her eyes set on breaking the decades-long drought.

Across from her is a Minnesota Lynx team anchored by Collier, who carries the torch of a franchise known for its championship pedigree. With the shadow of past legends like Maya Moore looming, Collier now seeks to solidify her own place in that history.

For Stewart and the Liberty, it’s about breaking through and ending New York’s long title drought. For Collier and the Lynx, it’s about continuing a tradition of excellence. Friends off the court but fierce competitors on it, both are driven by the weight of their legacies. With everything on the line, these Finals will define the next chapter of their careers.

Now, as the Finals approach, we sat down with Breanna Stewart to discuss the emotions behind this monumental matchup, what it means to represent New York, and how her friendship with Collier has evolved into a fierce on-court rivalry.

Drew Acampora: Stewie, you’re from New York, and it’s in your DNA. What does it mean to be on the verge of bringing a championship back to your home state?

Breanna Stewart: It means a lot to be on the verge of bringing a championship back to New York—the first one in franchise history. Having that pressure and knowing that we’re doing it for Brooklyn, for New York, and for New York City makes it even more special. Growing up here and being rooted in the city has shaped who I am. Even though I’m from Syracuse, I’ve always felt connected to this place. To have the chance to do it in front of my friends and family—especially in a historic arena like Barclays—is surreal.

DA: On top of that, New York hasn’t had a basketball championship on either the men’s or women’s side in 50 years. What emotions come up when you think about breaking that streak?

BS: There’s a lot of emotion that comes with it—heart, desire, and grit. There’s something about working through the struggle and pushing through the challenges that’s part of the New York way. It’s been 50 years since a men’s or women’s team brought a championship back here, so to end that drought would mean everything. We’re ready to make history.

DA: As a fellow New Yorker, I get it. Switching gears a bit, you’re a mom now—a super mom. How has motherhood changed your approach to life, both on and off the court?

BS: Being a mom has completely changed my approach, both on and off the court. It’s given me so much more perspective. My kids, Ruby and Theo, are looking up to me, and I’m constantly trying to be a role model for them daily. I hope they’ll look back on what I do on the court and what I’m striving for here in New York and be proud of what I do. I want to show them that anything is possible.

DA: You’re up against a close friend, business partner, and former teammate in Napheesa Collier in this Finals. What’s it like competing against someone you’ve shared so much history with?

BS: We have a tremendous amount of respect for each other. We’ve done a lot together—both on and off the court—but when we step out there in the Finals, we’re putting that all aside. We’re friends, business partners, former teammates…but now we’re enemies. And when that ball tips, it’s all about winning.

DA: Understood. What would winning this championship mean to you personally as a mom, knowing Ruby and Theo will be watching?

BS: It would be incredible to win a championship in front of my kids because they’ve never been a part of a moment like this before. They’ve never seen me lift a trophy. I want them to experience it all—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. It would be something for them to remember forever, something they can look back on and say, ‘My mom did that.’

DA: Stewie, you’ve been synonymous with winning in your tenures in UConn and Seattle when you were earlier in your career. Now, as a veteran and leader, how do you see your legacy growing here in New York?

BS: I hope my legacy in New York will continue to grow as a winner and as a legend. I want to be remembered as someone who gave back to the place that shaped them and as a player who came home and did it the right way. I want to leave an impact here that extends beyond the court.

For Breanna Stewart, these Finals are more than just another step in her decorated career—it’s about showing her daughters what it means to set a goal and give everything to achieve it. “It would be incredible to win a championship in front of my kids,” she shared, emphasizing how much it means for Ruby and Theo to witness her success firsthand.

“They’ve never seen me lift a trophy.” Stewart’s desire to inspire her family mirrors the emotional stakes for this championship series—she’s not just playing for herself but to build a legacy that her children can look up to.

However, these finals are about more than personal milestones; they define what winning the New York Way means. As Stewart said, “There’s a lot of emotion that comes with it—heart, desire, and grit.” That attitude reflects everything she wants to bring to a Liberty team that is still looking for its first title. If the Liberty can finish what they started, Stewart’s vision of being remembered “as someone who gave back to the place that shaped them” will become a reality—not just for the fans, but for her family.

Simultaneously, led by Collier, the Lynx are fighting to prove that championship DNA doesn’t fade—it evolves. And the respect that Stewart and Collier have for one another is only matched by their competitive fire. Stewart said, “We’ve done a lot together—both on and off the court—but when we step out there in the Finals, we’re putting that all aside.”

For Stewart, a championship here would tie together every part of her journey—from Syracuse to Seattle and now to New York—becoming the story she’ll one day share with her daughters. It’s not just about one championship—it’s about creating a legacy they’ll remember forever.