News Summary
The New York Liberty faced a narrow defeat to the Los Angeles Sparks, losing 101-99. Star player Breanna Stewart exited early due to a leg injury, which impacted the team’s performance. Despite a strong showing from Sabrina Ionescu, who scored 30 points, the Liberty struggled to maintain their previous momentum. The loss ended their five-game winning streak, and the team now looks ahead with uncertainty about Stewart’s condition and a challenging upcoming schedule.
New York City – The New York Liberty suffered a tough 101-99 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks, which also saw star player Breanna Stewart exit the game early due to a lower leg injury. The incident occurred less than four minutes into the first quarter when Stewart, without contact, appeared to sustain the injury while transitioning up the court. At the time of her exit, Stewart had registered three points and one rebound.
The loss ended the Liberty’s impressive five-game winning streak, as the team struggled to maintain their performance after the injury to their leading scorer. Following the game, Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello did not provide any updates on Stewart’s condition, leaving both fans and teammates in uncertainty regarding her status moving forward.
Prior to this game, Stewart had been a crucial player for the Liberty, averaging 19 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game this season. Notably, she had just returned to action after missing nine games due to a previously aggravated ankle injury. The match against the Sparks was particularly challenging for the Liberty, marking the second game in a back-to-back scenario after a recent victory over the Phoenix Mercury.
In addition to Stewart’s injury, the Liberty faced other setbacks with Kennedy Burke suffering from cramps and Leonie Fiebich dealing with a hand injury. These issues compounded the team’s struggle to maintain momentum during the game against the Sparks.
Game Highlights
Despite the loss, the Liberty had a standout performance from Sabrina Ionescu, who scored 30 points while also recording eight rebounds, six assists, and four steals. Ionescu’s performance included a strong finish, delivering critical plays late in the game. This marked her third 30-point game of the season after an earlier near 30-point outing against the Mercury.
The Sparks were led by Rickea Jackson, who scored 24 points and hit the game-winning buzzer-beater, extending the Sparks’ winning streak to five games and improving their overall record to 11-14. This victory marked a significant achievement for the Sparks, as it was the first time in franchise history they scored over 100 points in consecutive games.
Standings and Future Outlook
Following this matchup, the Liberty hold a record of 17-7, placing them second in the WNBA standings. The team faces a challenging road ahead, as they are set to embark on a rigorous stretch where five of their next six games will be played away from home. This series of games will test the team’s depth and resilience, especially in the wake of Stewart’s injury.
Meanwhile, the Sparks have significantly improved their position in the standings after starting the season 6-14. They now find themselves in the playoff conversation, just one game behind the eighth-place Las Vegas Aces, making their recent performances crucial for securing a spot in the postseason.
In addition to Ionescu’s achievements, Jonquel Jones made history for the Liberty by moving into seventh place on the team’s all-time blocks list, further underscoring the additional individual accomplishments amidst the team’s struggles.
As the Liberty regroup and assess the impact of Stewart’s injury and their overall health moving forward, the upcoming games will be essential in determining their ability to maintain a high standing in the league.
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Additional Resources
- ESPN: Breanna Stewart Exits Game vs. Sparks
- USA Today: Breanna Stewart Leg Injury Update
- CBS Sports: Sparks Stun Liberty
- Newsweek: How to Watch Sparks vs. Liberty
- Google Search: WNBA News
Author: STAFF HERE BALTIMORE WRITER
BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.
