News Summary
The New York Liberty faced a disappointing 101-99 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks after Breanna Stewart exited the game early due to a non-contact leg injury. Despite Stewart’s early exit, the Liberty managed to stay competitive, led by Sabrina Ionescu’s impressive 30-point performance. The defeat ended New York’s five-game winning streak, raising concerns about the team’s depth going forward, particularly with a challenging road schedule ahead. Meanwhile, the Sparks celebrated their fifth consecutive win, showcasing a robust performance that adds to their playoff contention aspirations.
New York City, NY — Breanna Stewart’s injury leads to Liberty’s narrow 101-99 loss against the Los Angeles Sparks
The New York Liberty suffered a significant setback during their game against the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday night, losing 101-99 after Breanna Stewart exited early due to a lower leg injury. Stewart, a key player for the Liberty, left the game less than four minutes into the first quarter but managed to contribute three points and one rebound before departing.
Details of the Injury and Game Progress
The injury was classified as non-contact, occurring as Stewart was running up the court during a transition play. No immediate contact was involved at the moment of injury, raising concerns about her condition. Following the game, Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello did not provide an update regarding Stewart’s status, indicating that assessments and evaluations are ongoing.
Despite Stewart’s early exit, the Liberty kept the game closely contested. The Sparks, led by Rickea Jackson’s game-winning buzzer-beater, edged out the Liberty in the final moments. Jackson finished with 24 points, playing a pivotal role for Los Angeles, which extended its winning streak to five consecutive games and now holds an 11-14 record for the season.
Impact on the Liberty’s Season and standings
The loss for New York snapped a five-game winning streak and drops their record to 17-7, maintaining the second-best record in the league. This game followed a stretch of strong performances, notably with several standout individual efforts from Liberty players.
In particular, Sabrina Ionescu had an outstanding performance, scoring 30 points, along with eight rebounds, six assists, and four steals. This marked her third 30-point game of the season, the previous being a 29-point effort against the Mercury. Her late-game performance was crucial in keeping the Liberty competitive despite Stewart’s absence.
Additional Player Updates and Team Challenges
Other players for New York also encountered issues during the game. Kennedy Burke experienced cramps, while Leonie Fiebich sustained a hand injury, further complicating the team’s roster situation for upcoming games. The Liberty are preparing for a demanding stretch of away games, with five of their next six contests scheduled on the road after this defeat.
Los Angeles Sparks’ Key Highlights and Historical Milestones
The Sparks, who initiated the season with a 6-14 record, have now won five in a row, showing significant improvement. Their victory marked a milestone in franchise history, as they became the first team to score over 100 points in consecutive games. Jonquel Jones also achieved a personal milestone during the match, moving into seventh place on the Liberty’s all-time blocks list.
Standouts and League Context
Aside from Jackson’s strong scoring, the Sparks have become a more competitive force in the league, closing the gap with playoff contenders. Currently positioned just one game behind the eighth-place Las Vegas Aces, they are making a late-season push for postseason qualification.
For the Liberty, the absence of Stewart, who had previously not missed a game prior to injury and recently returned from a nine-game absence due to an ankle injury, raises concerns about their depth and resilience in upcoming games. The team remains among the top of the league standings but faces challenges ahead as they navigate the affected lineup and tough road schedule.
The game outcomes and ongoing evaluations of Stewart’s injury will play a significant role in shaping the Liberty’s postseason prospects. Meanwhile, the Sparks have demonstrated significant momentum and are emerging as potential playoff contenders after a difficult start to their 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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RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake 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 North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
