News Summary
The New York Liberty faced a tough loss against the Los Angeles Sparks, ending their five-game winning streak. Breanna Stewart exited the game with a lower leg injury, raising concerns about her health and future availability. Despite strong performances from players like Sabrina Ionescu, who scored 30 points, and Jonquel Jones reaching a milestone, the team struggled in Stewart’s absence. The Sparks secured their fifth consecutive win, positioning themselves in playoff contention as both teams navigate injury challenges.
New York, NY — Breanna Stewart sustains injury as Liberty narrowly defeat by Sparks
The New York Liberty’s five-game winning streak came to an abrupt end on Friday night after a closely contested game against the Los Angeles Sparks, with a final score of 101-99. A key moment occurred less than four minutes into the first quarter when Breanna Stewart exited the game with a lower leg injury. The injury happened during a non-contact incident while Stewart was running in transition, raising concerns about her immediate health and future availability.
Injury Details and Immediate Impact
Prior to leaving the game, Stewart managed to contribute three points and one rebound. Her exit significantly impacted the Liberty, who struggled to maintain their offensive rhythm afterward. As of now, the team’s head coach has not provided any updates regarding Stewart’s condition, leaving the extent of her injury uncertain.
Game Highlights and Player Performances
Despite the loss, forward Sabrina Ionescu delivered an outstanding performance, tallying 30 points along with eight rebounds, six assists, and four steals. This marked her third 30-point game of the season, with her previous high being 29 points against the Phoenix Mercury. Ionescu’s late-game efforts kept the Liberty competitive, but ultimately, the Sparks’ Rickea Jackson secured victory with a buzzer-beater, finishing the game with 24 points.
Meanwhile, Jonquel Jones reached a statistical milestone by moving into seventh place on the Liberty’s all-time blocks list during this game.
Team Context and Season Overview
The Liberty, holding a record of 17-7 after this game, remain the second-best team in the WNBA standings. Prior to this contest, they had just returned from a nine-game stretch recovering from an ankle injury that Stewart had previously aggravated. She had not missed a game until her injury on Friday night.
This game was part of a back-to-back schedule for New York, coming after their victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Friday. The team now faces a challenging upcoming stretch with five of their next six games scheduled away from home.
Sparks Extend Winning Streak and Positional Standings
The win marked the Sparks’ fifth consecutive victory and improved their record to 11-14. Originally starting the season with a 6-14 record, Los Angeles is now in strong playoff contention, sitting just one game behind the eighth-place Las Vegas Aces.
The Sparks’ achievement of scoring over 100 points in consecutive games is a franchise first, highlighting their offensive resurgence led by Jackson and supporting players.
Other Notable Player Updates
Liberty players Kennedy Burke and Leonie Fiebich also left the game early due to cramps and a hand injury, respectively, indicating ongoing injury concerns affecting the team’s depth and rotation.
Summary
Overall, the game underscored the Liberty’s resilience but was marred by Stewart’s injury incident. The team will need to manage her absence while preparing for a tough schedule ahead. Meanwhile, the Sparks continue to build momentum and aim for a potential playoff spot as they extend their winning streak and achieve a historic offensive feat for their franchise.
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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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