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Liberty Survive 113-109 Shootout vs. Sparks in Instant Classic
Liberty Hold Off Sparks in Thrilling 113-109 Victory
Welcome to the WNBA! Think of this like a really exciting game of basketball where the best women players in the world compete. The New York Liberty (that’s one team) just barely beat the Los Angeles Sparks (the other team) in a super close game!
What Happened in Simple Terms
Imagine two teams playing a really intense game of basketball. The score was 113 to 109 — that means lots of points were scored! The game was so close that the lead changed hands several times, but in the end, New York won by just 4 points.
The Star Players
Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty)
- 29 points — That’s like scoring almost 30 baskets!
- 11 out of 19 shots made — She was very accurate
- 19 points in the second half — She really stepped up when her team needed her
- Also got: 7 assists (helping teammates score), 4 rebounds (grabbing missed shots), and 4 steals (taking the ball from the other team)
Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty)
- 27 points — Almost as many as Stewart!
- 9 out of 16 shots made
- 5 three-pointers — These are shots from really far away (worth 3 points instead of 2)
- 14 points in just the first quarter — She started the game on fire!
Rae Burrell (Los Angeles Sparks)
- 24 points — Led her team in scoring
- Hit a big three-pointer to put the Sparks ahead late in the game
Nneka Ogwumike (Los Angeles Sparks)
- 21 points and 9 assists
- Had scored double-doubles (double digits in two categories like points and assists) in four straight games before this one
The Bench Players Stepped Up Too!
Important: In basketball, "bench players" or "reserves" are the players who don’t start the game but come in later. They made a HUGE difference here!
- Rebekah Gardner: 15 points
- Han Xu: 13 points
- Marine Fauthoux: 13 points — including two straight three-pointers late in the game that helped seal the win!
How the Game Went Down (Step by Step)
- First Quarter: Ionescu scores 14 points, Liberty leads 36-30
- Halftime: Sparks fight back and lead 56-53
- Third Quarter:
- Burrell hits a 3-pointer → Sparks up 81-74
- Stewart scores a "floater" (a high, soft shot) to finish an 11-4 run (Liberty scores 11 points, Sparks only 4)
- Liberty leads by 1 point going into the fourth quarter
- Fourth Quarter:
- Fauthoux hits two huge three-pointers → Liberty up 93-86
- Liberty keeps a two-possession lead (meaning the Sparks would need to score twice without the Liberty scoring to tie) for almost the whole last 8 minutes
- Final Score: Liberty 113, Sparks 109
Team Records After This Game
| Team | Wins | Losses | Current Streak |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Liberty | 16 | 12 | Won 1 |
| Los Angeles Sparks | 10 | 17 | Lost 6 straight, 9 of last 11 |
What’s Next?
- New York Liberty: Travel to play the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday (the Aces are the defending champions!)
- Los Angeles Sparks: Travel to play the Portland Fire on Sunday
Summary
The New York Liberty beat the Los Angeles Sparks 113-109 in a high-scoring, back-and-forth game. Breanna Stewart (29 points) and Sabrina Ionescu (27 points) led the way, but the bench players — especially Marine Fauthoux with two clutch three-pointers — made the difference. The Sparks have now lost 6 games in a row, while the Liberty pick up an important road win before facing the mighty Las Vegas Aces.
FAQ
What’s a "three-pointer" and why is it special?
A three-pointer is a shot made from behind a curved line on the court (about 22 feet from the basket). It’s worth 3 points instead of the usual 2, so it’s a really valuable skill!
What does "double-double" mean?
When a player gets double digits (10 or more) in two different stats in the same game — like 21 points and 9 assists (just missed a double-double!) or 15 points and 10 rebounds.
What’s a "floater" in basketball?
A floater is a high, arcing shot usually taken while running toward the basket. It goes over taller defenders and drops softly into the hoop. Think of it like a rainbow shot!
What does "two-possession lead" mean?
It means one team is ahead by 4 to 6 points. Since each possession usually results in 0-3 points, the trailing team would need to score on two consecutive possessions while stopping the other team to tie or take the lead.
Why do bench players matter so much?
Starters play most minutes but get tired. Bench players give the starters rest and can bring fresh energy. In this game, New York’s bench scored 41 points combined — that’s more than a third of their total!
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