Storm’s Breanna Stewart suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon, out for 2019 season

As news and footage of Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart showing her suffering an injury in the EuroLeague championship game Sunday began to circulate via social media early this week, fans waited for word from the Storm on the specifics of Stewart’s medical condition. The team issued the following statement this morning:

Storm forward Breanna Stewart suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon in Sunday’s EuroLeague championship game. She will undergo surgery performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic at a date to be determined. Stewart is expected to miss the 2019 WNBA season, but is expected to make a full recovery for the start of the 2020 season. No further timetable will be given at this time.

“This is a tough time for Stewie and our hearts go out to her,” said Storm CEO and General Manager Alisha Valavanis. “The Storm family is behind her and we will support Stewie in every way we can as she begins her journey back to the court.”

Stewart was in the midst of one of the most decorated 12-month runs in the history of professional basketball, after winning the 2018 WNBA MVP and 2018 WNBA Finals MVP en route to leading the Storm to the WNBA Championship. She went on to lead Team USA to a gold medal at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, where she also garnered tournament MVP honors, and was named 2018 USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year.