Rickea Jackson scored a decisive layup at the buzzer, clinching a 101-99 victory for the Los Angeles Sparks over the New York Liberty on Saturday night in Brooklyn. The game was intense, with both teams battling closely until the final seconds.
Breanna Stewart’s Injury Diminishes Liberty’s Performance
New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart exited the game early in the first quarter due to an injury in the lower part of her right leg, playing only slightly more than three minutes. She recorded three points and one rebound, significantly below her usual average. Kennedy Burke replaced Stewart and added two points in six minutes of play. Stewart’s injury impacted the Liberty’s overall performance throughout the game.
Sparks Maintain Momentum with Fifth Consecutive Win
The Sparks, unaffected by recent game fatigue, extended their winning streak to five games while consistently surpassing 90 points in each. Rickea Jackson led Los Angeles with 24 points, including 17 in the opening quarter. Kelsey Plum contributed 20 points, while Dearica Hamby and Azura Stevens both scored 17 points each. Stevens also dominated the boards with 11 rebounds, and Hamby added 10. Julie Allemand nearly matched her career-high with 10 assists.
Liberty’s Strong Effort Highlights Sabrina Ionescu’s Scoring
Sabrina Ionescu delivered a standout performance for New York with 30 points, the highest in the game. Natasha Cloud also played a key role, contributing 22 points and nine assists. Despite trailing by 15 points in the first half, the Liberty fought back to tie the game late in the fourth quarter. However, defensive lapses against the Sparks proved costly, ending New York’s five-game winning streak.
Game Dynamics and Critical Moments
The Sparks came out strong, winning the first quarter 35-20 and executing a 13-0 run fueled by 68.4 percent shooting, including seven successful three-pointers out of ten attempts. Los Angeles led 58-45 at halftime despite cooling off in the third quarter, where their shooting percentage dropped to 29 percent and they missed all six three-point attempts.
A pivotal moment occurred midway through the third quarter when a three-pointer by Ionescu, which would have brought the Liberty within one point, was nullified due to a foul on Jonquel Jones for an illegal screen. Ionescu’s reaction led to a technical foul, which Kelsey Plum converted, shifting momentum back to Los Angeles with a 66-61 lead. The Sparks maintained a five-point advantage, 74-69, entering the final period.
In the fourth quarter, the Liberty rallied, tying the score at 95 on a three-point play by Ionescu and again at 99 on a mid-range jumper with 23.1 seconds remaining. Jackson’s buzzer-beater, set up by Hamby, sealed the victory for the Sparks.
Overall Implications and Team Outlooks
The victory highlights the resilience of the Los Angeles Sparks as they continue to build momentum in the season. For the Liberty, Breanna Stewart’s injury could have significant repercussions moving forward, given her critical role as a seven-time All-Star. The team’s solid 6-2 record in an eight-game home stretch illustrates their capacity to compete at a high level, but the loss of a key player could challenge their future performances. The Sparks, benefiting from additional rest after not playing since Thursday, demonstrated their ability to capitalize on opportunities during a demanding road game for New York, which was playing back-to-back nights.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Breanna Stewart deaf?
A. Breanna Stewart’s Interview on ESPN: Memorable Camera Incident with Deaf WNBA Player.
Q. What surgery did Breanna Stewart have?
A. Breanna Stewart recently underwent surgery on her right knee to fix her meniscus, someone in the know revealed to The Associated Press. The source wished to stay anonymous as they weren’t permitted to discuss it openly.