Oh, what a game!
Breanna Stewart delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 33 points to propel the New York Liberty to a 98-88 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday. This triumph not only solidified the Liberty’s strong start to the season but also set a new record for the best start in franchise history with a 14-3 record after 17 games.
Breanna Stewart WENT OFF in the New York Liberty’s win over the Sparks 👀🍿
33 PTS
7 AST
6 BLK
3 STL
12-19 FG
+18Stewie becomes just the 4th player in WNBA History to put up 30+ PTS, 5+ AST, & 5+ BLK in a game!#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/Vz55iZjPSa
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 22, 2024
Comparing this achievement to previous seasons, the Liberty had managed a 13-4 record at the same point in 2023, which highlights a significant improvement this year. Despite their impressive record, the Liberty are still trailing the Connecticut Sun, who boast the best record in the WNBA at 13-2. This comparison emphasizes the competitive nature of the league, especially given the Sun’s impending game against the Seattle Storm.
Stewart, in her stellar performance, shot 12-for-19 from the field and rounded out her stats with seven assists, six blocks, and three steals, matching her season-high of 33 points. This feat was first achieved in an earlier game against the Chicago Sky. Notably, Stewart set a record by becoming the first WNBA player to score over 20 points, dish out five assists, and block five shots in just one half of a game.
Sandy Brondello, Kayla Thornton, and Breanna Stewart break down the #Liberty 98-88 win over the Sparks https://t.co/ROwqSs85bb pic.twitter.com/1N1SdPMNX7
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) June 22, 2024
Supporting Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu contributed 24 points, nine assists, and six rebounds, while Kayla Thornton added 20 points, hitting an impressive 6-for-7 from beyond the arc, alongside six rebounds. Their performances were crucial in the back-to-back games against the Sparks held at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, where the Liberty also secured a win in their previous encounter.
The Sparks, on the other hand, faced challenges but saw strong performances from Dearica Hamby, who led with 20 points, and Zia Cooke, who added 14 points. This game marked their second without star rookie Cameron Brink, who suffered a season-ending knee injury earlier in the week, significantly impacting the team’s dynamics.
The Liberty were without several key players: Courtney Vandersloot was absent due to a personal loss, and both Betnijah Laney-Hamilton and Nyara Sabally were sidelined with injuries. Despite these setbacks, the team demonstrated resilience and depth in their roster.
A franchise best 14-3 start for the New York Liberty as they get the 98-88 win over the Sparks 👏
Breanna Stewart went off for 33 PTS (12-19 FG), 7 AST, 6 BLK, & 3 STL in the dub!
Sabrina Ionescu and Kayla Thornton added in 24 PTS & 20 PTS (7-8 FG) respectively#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/l5OVz2nqN8
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 22, 2024
Looking ahead, the Liberty are set to face the Atlanta Dream on the road before enjoying a week off, which provides them an opportunity to rest and regroup. Meanwhile, the Sparks are scheduled to meet the Phoenix Mercury in an upcoming game, continuing their challenging season schedule.
Major Points:
- Breanna Stewart scored 33 points, matching her season high, to lead the New York Liberty to a 98-88 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks.
- The win marked the Liberty’s best start in franchise history with a record of 14-3.
- Stewart also set a WNBA record for scoring over 20 points, five assists, and five blocks in a single half.
- The Sparks played without their star rookie Cameron Brink, who is out for the season due to a knee injury.
- The Liberty were missing several key players, including Courtney Vandersloot, due to personal and injury-related absences.
Jerone Gennero – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
