News Summary
The New York Liberty fell short in their bid to extend their winning streak, suffering a close 101-99 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. Key player Breanna Stewart sustained a leg injury early in the game, impacting the Liberty’s performance. Despite Sabrina Ionescu’s impressive 30-point game, the team struggled without Stewart and faced further complications with additional player injuries. The Sparks capitalized on the Liberty’s misfortunes, securing a victory with a buzzer-beater by Rickea Jackson. The Liberty now confront a challenging schedule ahead as they aim to maintain their playoff position.
New York City – The New York Liberty’s hopes for extending their winning streak were dashed following a narrow 101-99 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday. The game took a significant turn when talented forward Breanna Stewart exited the court with a lower leg injury just under four minutes into the first quarter. Stewart’s injury, which was described as non-contact, occurred as she was running during a transition play.
In the brief time she spent on the court, Stewart managed to contribute three points and secure one rebound before leaving the game. Following the match, Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello provided no immediate updates on Stewart’s condition, adding to concerns over her health for upcoming games.
This upset loss halted the Liberty’s five-game winning streak, marking a challenging moment for the team. The Liberty now stand at 17-7 for the season, holding the second-best record in the WNBA. This game comes following their previous victory against the Phoenix Mercury just a day prior, making it the second game in a back-to-back series.
Impact of Stewart’s Absence
Before this injury, Stewart had been a key player for New York, averaging 19 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game this season. Notably, she had just returned to the court after a nine-game absence due to a previously aggravated ankle injury, highlighting the unfortunate timing of this latest setback.
Additional injuries further complicated matters for the Liberty. Kennedy Burke dealt with cramps during the game, while Leonie Fiebich was sidelined due to a hand injury, leaving the team with fewer options and impacting their overall performance.
Sparks’ Momentum
The Sparks capitalized on the Liberty’s misfortunes, with Rickea Jackson leading the team with a remarkable 24 points, including the game-winning buzzer-beater, solidifying a five-game winning streak for Los Angeles. This victory improved their record to 11-14 and placed them in contention for a playoff spot, currently standing just one game behind the eighth-place Las Vegas Aces.
Sabrina Ionescu delivered a standout performance for New York, scoring a game-high 30 points, along with eight rebounds and six assists. This marked her third 30-point game of the season, having previously scored 29 points against the Mercury. Ionescu’s strong late-game performance underscored her importance to the Liberty’s offensive struggles in the absence of Stewart.
Historical Notes and Upcoming Challenges
In a notable achievement, Jonquel Jones moved into seventh place on the Liberty’s all-time blocks list during the game. The Sparks’ recent performance marked a historic moment for the franchise, as it was the first time they scored over 100 points in consecutive games.
Following this loss, the Liberty now face a demanding road schedule ahead, with five of their next six games played away from home. As they regroup and evaluate player injuries, the Liberty will need to adjust quickly in order to maintain their standing in a tightly contested 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
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