The stakes were high from the outset, but fate took an early twist when Liberty superstar Breanna Stewart suffered a lower leg injury just three minutes into the contest. Stewart, who managed only three points and a rebound before heading to the locker room, left New York reeling and forced her teammates to dig deep on the second night of a back-to-back.
Los Angeles came out blazing, their offense unstoppable in the opening quarter. The Sparks sank 13 of 19 shots, including a jaw-dropping seven three-pointers, with Rickea Jackson putting on a clinic and racking up 17 points in just the first period. By halftime, LA commanded a 58-45 lead, their confidence soaring as they connected on 10 of 18 shots from beyond the arc.
But the Liberty are nothing if not resilient. Sabrina Ionescu, the beating heart of New York, responded with the determination of a champion. She poured in 30 points, including a clutch elbow jumper to tie the score at 99 with just 23.1 seconds remaining. The Liberty had clawed back from a 15-point deficit early in the third quarter, with Natasha Cloud providing crucial support—scoring 10 of her 22 points in the final frame.
Drama reached its peak in the closing seconds. Stephanie Talbot fouled Kelsey Plum with 5.9 seconds left, giving the Sparks a chance to draw up a final play. After a timeout, the ball found its way to Jackson in the post. Muscling through Talbot’s defense, Jackson flipped up a shot just before time expired—a moment frozen in time as the ball dropped through the net, and the Sparks erupted in celebration. Jackson finished the night with 24 points, while Plum added 20, helping Los Angeles secure their fifth straight win and improve to 11-14 on the season.
The Liberty, now 17-7, showed remarkable grit despite adversity and the absence of Stewart. Ionescu’s leadership and fire were evident, even earning her a technical foul after a disputed call in the third quarter. Yet, her spirit never wavered, and the Liberty pushed the Sparks to the very brink.
This game will be remembered not only for its electric finish but as a testament to the heart and resilience of both squads. With the season heating up and playoff positions on the line, the Sparks’ dramatic win and the Liberty’s never-say-die attitude set the stage for even greater battles to come. Every possession, every shot, every second—this is what makes the WNBA truly unforgettable.