Liberty Flight Delay Forces WNBA Game Postponement

Stewart Describes 10‑Hour Tarmac Ordeal

Breanna Stewart and the New York Liberty were set to travel to Dallas for a showdown with the Wings on Wednesday, but a Delta flight never left the gate as scheduled. The aircraft encountered “mechanical issues” and sat on the tarmac for roughly ten hours, leaving the team without snacks or meals. “We wanted to get to Dallas… doors closed, couldn’t get off the plane for 10 hours,” Stewart recounted, emphasizing the length of the delay. The uncomfortable wait prompted the WNBA to rearrange the contest, moving it to a later date.

Game Rescheduled to Monday Evening

With no pilots available for a replacement aircraft, the Liberty had to consider returning home before the league stepped in. The rescheduled match will tip off Monday at 8 p.m. ET, a slot that accommodates both the Liberty and the Dallas Wings. Sabrina Ionescu noted the new schedule was “not the perfect scenario,” but she appreciated the league’s effort to find a workable solution for all parties. The postponement ends a three‑game losing streak for New York, which last played on Sunday.

Impact on Standings and Future Schedule

The Liberty’s most recent defeat came on July 7, an 88‑77 loss to the Wings where Stewart posted 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. This season the team stands 0‑2 against Paige Bueckers’ Connecticut Sun. After a 10‑4 record in mid‑June, the Liberty now sits at 3‑7, still in the hunt for momentum before the All‑Star break. The Wings, meanwhile, will host the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday before welcoming the Liberty roughly 24 hours later, adding another back‑to‑back contest to an already packed docket.

Looking Ahead for Both Teams

Stewart’s vivid account highlights how travel disruptions can ripple through professional sports schedules, a concern growing with the league’s expanded travel calendar. Ionescu’s calm reaction—calling the episode “pretty boring”—underscores the players’ adaptability amid unforeseen delays. Both franchises aim to turn the interruption into a catalyst for a late‑season surge, leveraging the extra rest to refine tactics and reclaim early‑season form.

Strong conditioning and strategic depth will be key as the Liberty seek to climb back into playoff contention, while the Wings aim to capitalize on home‑court advantage before the league’s mid‑season pause.