In a hard-fought matchup on Sunday, the New York Liberty managed to secure an 81-75 win over the Atlanta Dream at Barclays Center. Despite a sluggish start and some offensive struggles, it was Breanna Stewart who stepped up to carry her team to victory.

Stewart's remarkable performance not only helped her team secure the win but also earned her a spot in the record books. She became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 5,000 points, achieving this milestone in just 242 games. The previous record was held by Diana Taurasi, who accomplished the feat in 243 games. Stewart expressed her gratitude for the honor, acknowledging Taurasi's contribution to the sport and stating that she would reach out to her to share the news.

The game did not start off on a promising note for the Liberty, with Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu struggling to find their rhythm. Jones managed to contribute only five points, slightly better than her performance in the Commissioner's Cup final earlier in the week. Meanwhile, Ionescu struggled with her shooting, going 3-for-17 from the field and 2-for-11 from beyond the arc.

Despite the team's slow start, Liberty coach Sandy Brondello attributed their offensive struggles to several players being under the weather. In fact, Ionescu's strained voice limited her communication on the court, leading to some indecisiveness in her decision-making.

Fortunately for the Liberty, Stewart stepped up in the second half to turn the tide of the game. After shooting a dismal 27.8 percent in the first quarter and 30 percent in the second quarter, the team found themselves down by 16 points at one stage. However, Stewart's exceptional performance, including three crucial 3-pointers, propelled the Liberty forward. She followed her shots for second-chance points and grabbed 12 rebounds, helping to limit the Atlanta Dream's effectiveness in the paint.

The Dream, who had a strong presence in the paint during the first half, struggled to maintain their dominance in the second half. They shot 13-for-18 in the paint in the first half but only managed to convert 5 of their 14 attempts inside in the latter half. Stewart credited her team's improved defensive efforts to their awareness of Atlanta's strategy to drive downhill and punch it into the paint.

The momentum shifted in the third quarter when Betnijah Laney-Hamilton sank a game-changing shot from deep, giving the Liberty their first lead since early in the game. Leonie Fiebich also made a significant impact off the bench, contributing nine of her 12 points in the final quarter.

Despite the initial struggles, the Liberty managed to rally together, regaining their intensity and playing with renewed energy. Brondello acknowledged their slow start but commended their resilience and their ability to make shots when they mattered most.

Former Liberty player Tina Charles put on a strong showing for the Atlanta Dream, along with Allisha Gray, who proved to be a force in transition and in the paint. Charles, who played with the Liberty from 2014 to 2019, scored 16 points, while Gray tallied an impressive 24 points.

The win marked the Liberty's league-best record of 16-3, highlighting their determination to achieve more than just individual accolades. As they continue to push forward in the season, the team aims to build on their successes and maintain their position as a dominant force in the WNBA.