The New York Liberty defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 98-88 on Saturday, with Breanna Stewart leading the way with an exceptional performance. In the first half, Stewart scored 24 points with five assists and five blocks, becoming the first player in WNBA history to achieve over 20 points, five assists, and five blocks in a half.
Stewart’s momentum helped the Liberty take a 54-44 lead at halftime after trailing early in the second quarter. In the third quarter, New York extended their lead, with Stewart showcasing her defensive skills with a chase-down block that energized the crowd. Despite several key players being sidelined due to injuries, both teams played hard and put on an impressive show.
The Liberty was still playing without several key players due to injuries, but Vandersloot returned to the team after missing seven games due to a family bereavement. Los Angeles also faced injury challenges, with players like Cameron Brink and Azura Stevens sidelined. The Sparks signed Queen Egbo to a hardship contract, with Egbo making her debut without a custom jersey.
Despite the setbacks, both teams are looking ahead with the Sparks playing at Phoenix and the Liberty facing Atlanta in their upcoming games. The victory marked New York’s 10th win in their last 11 games, including a previous victory over the Sparks earlier in the week.
