In the world of basketball, where glitter meets grit, Breanna Stewart’s WNBA debut was anything but ordinary. The 2024 champion and New York Liberty star, fresh off a dazzling season, took fans on a memory lane during her recent appearance on Candace Parker’s debut episode of The Trophy Room. And boy, what a lane it was—paved with Beyoncé concerts, Staples Center dreams, and a humbling 30-point smackdown courtesy of Parker herself.
Beyoncé by Night, Basketball by Day
Imagine this: You’re Breanna Stewart, a fresh-faced rookie, drafted by the Seattle Storm, brimming with optimism, ready to rewrite the franchise’s destiny. The next day? You’re rubbing shoulders with Candace Parker at a Beyoncé concert. Yes, Queen Bey herself was the unofficial chaperone of Stewart’s WNBA welcome party.
But then came the real show—the 2016 WNBA season opener at the iconic Staples Center. Stewart recalled her thoughts:
“This is amazing. I’m playing at Staples Center. My first game is against you [Candace Parker]. This is gonna be great!”
Well, spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
A “Welcome to the WNBA” Moment—Courtesy of Candace Parker
As Beyoncé’s melodies faded into basketball reality, Stewart got a taste of what it meant to face a league legend in her prime.
On May 15, 2016, Candace Parker and her LA Sparks handed the Storm a basketball lesson wrapped in a 96-66 blowout win. Stewart, true to her grit, showed glimpses of stardom, scoring 23 points, grabbing six rebounds, and even swatting away a block. But Parker? Oh, Parker was on a mission.
The Sparks’ superstar dropped a casual 34 points, adding five rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while shooting 60% from the field. It was a masterclass that screamed, “Welcome to my house!” If the WNBA had hazing rituals, this was it—on a national stage.
In her own words, Stewart summed up the humbling experience:
“We lost by 30, and I was in the locker room like, ‘What are we gonna do now? How can we fix this?’ Meanwhile, my teammates were like, ‘So, where are we going to dinner?’”
The lesson? In the WNBA, even crushing losses come with a side of post-game grub.
A Decade of Duels: Stewart vs. Parker
Fast-forward nearly a decade, and the Stewart-Parker rivalry has morphed into mutual respect. The two battled 16 times, with Stewart narrowly edging Parker 9-7 in head-to-head matchups. Stewart also matched Parker’s three championship rings in 2024, proving she’s no longer the rookie eating humble pie.
Yet, Stewart’s admiration for Parker runs deep. After Parker announced her retirement in 2023 following her championship-winning season with the Las Vegas Aces, Stewart was among the first to express her heartfelt sadness. Legends, after all, recognize each other.
The Future: Stewart’s Quest for More
Now, as Stewart basks in the glow of her third championship, her eyes are set on the future. The Liberty are poised to dominate, but the WNBA offseason promises roster shake-ups, making the league as unpredictable as ever.
Stewart’s first WNBA game may have been a 30-point blowout loss, but it was also the start of a glittering career. From Beyoncé’s concert to Parker’s clinic, it’s a journey that proves even legends start with lessons—and a bit of lemonade.
Final Whistle
Breanna Stewart’s story is a reminder that basketball isn’t just about wins and losses—it’s about the moments, the rivalries, and the sheer unpredictability of life. Whether it’s bumping into Beyoncé or battling legends, Stewart’s career is the perfect blend of glamour and grind. As for Candace Parker? Let’s just say she made sure Stewart never forgot her first dance in the WNBA.