WNBA Playoffs Injury Report: Breanna Stewart and Caitlin Clark Cleared for Game 1

The 2026 WNBA postseason arrives Sunday, and the biggest exhale of the weekend belongs to New York and Indiana. After a bruising final week of the regular season that saw multiple superstars limp into the locker room, the league's official injury report has delivered the exact news fans were desperate for: the heavyweights are lacing up. The brackets are set, and the medical clearances have transformed a weekend of anxiety into pure anticipation.[3]

For the New York Liberty, the tension surrounding Breanna Stewart's left knee has officially evaporated. Stewart missed Wednesday's regular-season finale against the Atlanta Dream with lingering soreness, sparking immediate concern about her playoff availability. But as of Saturday evening, the two-time MVP is entirely off the injury report and cleared for Sunday's Game 1 clash against the Minnesota Lynx.[1]

The clearance changes the entire complexion of the series. According to Athlon Sports, "Stewart missed Wednesday's loss due to left knee soreness, but she is off the injury report and will return Sunday." She was a full participant in Saturday's practice, re-centering a Liberty squad that finished the regular season with a 26-18 record and relies heavily on her two-way dominance.[1]

But New York is not entirely out of the woods. Frontcourt anchor Jonquel Jones remains listed as questionable with a left ankle injury sustained in that same Wednesday loss. Jones did not return to the floor against the Dream, and her status will likely be a game-time decision. If she is limited, the Liberty will have to lean heavily on Leonie Fiebich and Raquel Carrera to manage the paint.[1]

The Lynx, meanwhile, are getting their own massive reinforcement just in time for the 2 p.m. ET tip-off. Point guard Olivia Miles has been officially cleared for action. As Athlon Sports noted, "Miles missed the final two games of the regular season with a left calf injury but she is off the injury report and will play in Game 1." Having Miles back gives Minnesota the pace and distribution needed to challenge New York's perimeter defenders.[1]

Out West, the Indiana Fever are navigating their own high-stakes medical updates ahead of their first-round series against the Las Vegas Aces. The headline is a massive relief for Indiana: Caitlin Clark is listed as probable after managing a back injury down the stretch. Clark is expected to assume her normal workload as the Fever look to upset the defending champions.[2]

The concern for Indiana shifts entirely to the interior. Aliyah Boston is officially questionable for Game 1 after suffering a lower right leg injury in Thursday's regular-season finale against the Lynx. Boston was pulled as a precaution after logging just 13 minutes and scoring four points on 2-of-5 shooting. RotoWire reported that Boston "won't return to Thursday's game against the Lynx after suffering a lower right leg injury," and her availability remains the biggest swing factor of the weekend.[2]

The margins in a short playoff series are razor-thin, and a single rolled ankle can alter a franchise's trajectory. With Stewart, Clark, and Miles all green-lit for the opening weekend, the league's marquee matchups will feature the star power they deserve. The ball goes up Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis, and the medical reports have finally given way to the basketball.