Aug 13, 2026; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) collides with Los Angeles Sparks ahead Dearica Hamby (5) within the first quarter at Barclays Heart. Obligatory Credit score: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Pictures Sabrina Ionescu scored 12 of her 20 factors in a chaotic fourth quarter because the host New York Liberty held on to defeat the Los Angeles Sparks, 85-81, on Thursday night time.
New York constructed a 28-point lead and withstood a 21-0 Sparks run within the fourth quarter. Los Angeles acquired as shut as one level with 22 seconds remaining.
However Ionescu made two free throws, and Ariel Atkins missed a 3-pointer on the opposite finish. Ionescu then made another free throw to ice the sport.
New York (21-14) is 8-2 over its previous 10 video games. The Liberty have additionally gained 5 straight dwelling video games.
Moreover Ionescu, Jonquel Jones had an enormous recreation for the Liberty with 11 factors, a game-high 18 rebounds and 4 assists.
The Sparks (12-21) have misplaced 10 of their previous 12 video games. Rae Burrell led the Sparks with a game-high 28 factors, together with 10-of-19 taking pictures total and 5-of-10 on 3-pointers.
New York acquired off to a sluggish begin, lacking six of its first seven photographs as Los Angeles took a 6-2 lead. However Breanna Stewart scored the sport’s subsequent six factors, and, by the top of the primary quarter, the Liberty led 21-16. Stewart completed the sport with 11 factors.
The Liberty prolonged their result in 16 factors halfway by the second quarter. By halftime, New York led 49-32.
Jones led New York within the first half with 10 factors and 12 rebounds, together with 5 on the offensive finish. Eight of her factors got here on put-backs. As a staff, the Liberty had first-half benefits in paint factors (32-12); fast-break factors (12-2); rebounds (25-14); and factors off turnovers (12-5).
Within the third quarter, New York stretched its result in 67-41. Los Angeles scored simply 9 factors within the third, making it New York’s greatest defensive quarter of the season.
Early within the fourth, Sparks standouts Cameron Brink and Burrell crashed heads. Each of them hit the deck, however they remained within the recreation. Actually, they each hit 3-pointers after the collision, and that sparked Los Angeles to its 21-0 run.
Brink then left the sport with 6:00 remaining as Stewart charged into her for an offensive foul. Brink didn’t return.
–Subject Stage Media
