Liberty hang on for win over Sparks after nearly…
Against the lowly Sparks, the Liberty virtually suffered what would’ve been a historic collapse Thursday night time.
Key phrase: virtually.
The Liberty managed to survive their worst fourth-quarter exhibiting of the season to beat the Sparks 85-81 at Barclays Center.
The home crew had constructed up a 28-point benefit with 9:48 left in the fourth quarter and was sitting fairly.
Until they weren’t.
The Sparks stormed all the best way back, scoring 21 unanswered factors to make it a nine-point recreation. Los Angeles bought within one with 21.7 seconds left, but the Liberty held on to stop their opponents from matching the largest comeback in WNBA historical past.
Two days after an obliteration at Indiana, the Liberty regarded to redeem themselves against a crew destined for the draft lottery.
But the Liberty performed poorly in the ultimate body. The Sparks, losers of eight of 10 video games getting into Thursday, didn’t wave the white flag in the fourth quarter, and the Liberty paid the price.
Los Angeles — no longer that includes Kelsey Plum after the star guard was traded to Phoenix at the deadline — went on a 21-0 rampage to cut the Liberty’s mighty lead in less than three minutes.
Sabrina Ionescu finally ended the 4:19 drought with a much-needed basket at the rim.
But the Sparks didn’t stop. They stored at it.
Sabrina Ionescu (left) celebrates with teammates after scoring and drawing a foul during the Liberty’s 85-81 win over the Sparks on Aug. 13, 2026 at Barclays Center. Heather Khalifa for New York Post
With 3:50 left in a four-point recreation, head coach Chris DeMarco questionably challenged a Marine Johannes foul. It was unsuccessful, burning the crew’s remaining timeout.
The Sparks made it a three-point recreation on three events over the ultimate 4 minutes.
Dearica Hamby’s layup cut the hole to 82-79 with 57.9 seconds to go. A nasty inbounds move from Pauline Astier was recovered by Ariel Atkins and the Sparks called a timeout with 26.6 left.
Sabrina Ionescu, who scored a team-high 20 factors, drives on Ariel Atkins during the Liberty’s 85-81 win over the Sparks on Aug. 13, 2026 at Barclays Center. Heather Khalifa for New York Post
Rae Burrell made the layup to make it 82-81 with 21.7 seconds left.
Sabrina Ionescu knocked in a pair of free throws to construct the Liberty’s lead back to three. It was enough to secure the win.
The Sparks outscored the Liberty 40-18 in the fourth quarter.
Jonquel Jones, who had a game-high 18 rebounds, battles for the ball against Cameron Brink during the Liberty’s win over the Sparks. Heather Khalifa for New York Post
Had they misplaced, it will no doubt have been the Liberty’s worst defeat of the season.
Even with the win, the Liberty shouldn’t be feeling too proud of themselves because the Sparks had no business being in the sport that late.
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