News Summary
The New York Liberty suffered a 101-99 defeat to the Los Angeles Sparks, ending their five-game winning streak. Star player Breanna Stewart exited early with a lower leg injury, and despite a strong 30-point performance from Sabrina Ionescu, the Liberty couldn’t secure the win. The Sparks showcased their strength, with Rickea Jackson leading the team with a buzzer-beater, contributing to their fifth consecutive victory. As the Liberty prepares for challenging road games, they now focus on the health of key players and maintaining their standings in the WNBA.
New York City – The New York Liberty faced a disappointing defeat against the Los Angeles Sparks, falling 101-99. The loss, which halted the Liberty’s five-game winning streak, was marked by the early exit of star player Breanna Stewart, who suffered a lower leg injury less than four minutes into the first quarter.
During her brief time on the court, Stewart managed to score three points and grab one rebound before leaving the game. The injury, which occurred non-contact, happened while Stewart was running up the court during a transition play. Following the game, Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello did not provide any updates regarding Stewart’s injury status.
This defeat is particularly concerning for the Liberty as they prepare for a challenging upcoming road stretch, with five of their next six games set to take place away from home. Stewart’s injury comes just after she had returned from a nine-game absence due to a previously aggravated ankle injury. Before this incident, she had not missed any games this season and was averaging 19 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists.
The Liberty’s injuries did not stop with Stewart; Kennedy Burke also faced issues with cramps, and Leonie Fiebich suffered from a hand injury during the match. Despite these setbacks, Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 30 points, along with eight rebounds, six assists, and four steals. This marked Ionescu’s third game of the season with at least 30 points, following her 29-point outing against the Phoenix Mercury just a day prior.
On the other side, the Sparks showcased a strong performance, with Rickea Jackson leading the team with 24 points, including a game-winning buzzer-beater. The victory for Los Angeles extends their winning streak to five games and improves their season record to 11-14. This win is significant for the Sparks, as it marked the first time in franchise history that they scored over 100 points in consecutive games.
Alongside his scoring streak, Jackson’s contributions helped the Sparks gain ground in the playoff race, now just one game behind the eighth-place Las Vegas Aces. The Sparks’ success contrasts starkly with their earlier season struggles, where they began the year with a dismal 6-14 record.
In addition to Ionescu’s efforts, Jonquel Jones made history by moving into seventh place on the Liberty’s all-time blocks list during the match. However, with this recent loss, the Liberty’s overall record now stands at 17-7, still good enough for the second-best record in the WNBA.
As the Liberty prepare for their upcoming road games, the focus will not only be on maintaining their position in the standings but also on the health and recovery of key players like Stewart. The team’s ability to adapt to challenges will be vital as they navigate this crucial period of the season.
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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
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