The Los Angeles Sparks showed determination and grit in their recent game against the New York Liberty but ultimately fell short in a hard-fought battle. Despite a strong second-half performance, the Sparks couldn’t overcome New York’s lead, resulting in an 87-79 loss at Crypto.com Arena.
Head coach Curt Miller challenged his team before the game, urging them to match or exceed the Liberty’s energy. With nothing to lose, Miller expressed confidence in the team’s preparation and mental state going into the matchup.
However, the Sparks struggled to find their footing early in the game, falling behind by as much as 27 points in the third quarter. Undeterred, they rallied in the second half, reducing the deficit to ten points, 80-70, with just under three minutes left. Dearica Hamby led the charge with an impressive performance, contributing 21 points, six rebounds, and three steals.
Jordin Canada was instrumental in the Sparks’ comeback, scoring 11 of her 17 points in the fourth quarter. Azurá Stevens added 13 points to the team’s effort, while Nneka Ogwumike recorded ten points, five rebounds, and three assists. Despite their individual contributions, the Sparks were unable to take the lead at any point during the game.
The Liberty’s three-point shooting proved to be a decisive factor, as they made 15 long-range shots. Breanna Stewart led the way for New York, finishing the game with 25 points and nine rebounds. Sabrina Ionescu chipped in with 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists, while Jonquel Jones added a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
The Sparks faced an early deficit, trailing 21-2 towards the end of the first quarter. New York’s sharpshooting from beyond the arc, making 5 of 7 three-pointers, coupled with the Sparks’ poor shooting, limited them to just 6.7% from the field. Hamby’s efforts helped narrow the margin slightly, but Los Angeles still found themselves behind 25-11 heading into the second quarter.
The Liberty continued their dominance in the first half, leading 51-35 at halftime. Marine Johannès showcased her shooting prowess, scoring 15 points in the first half on a perfect 5-for-5 shooting from three-point range. New York started the third quarter with a 13-4 run, bolstered by nine quick points from Stewart, pushing their advantage to 69-50.
Stevens emphasized the Sparks’ focus on defense against the high-powered offensive capabilities of the Liberty. With multiple weapons at their disposal, the team knew they had to key in defensively to contain New York’s key players.
Coach Miller also stressed the importance of the Sparks’ tempo and running game against the Liberty. However, they faced challenges as New York limited their fast-break opportunities, allowing them only four points in that category for the majority of the game.
The Sparks will have a chance to bounce back in their next matchup against the New York Liberty at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night. With the knowledge gained from their recent loss, they will look to make adjustments and deliver a stronger performance.
While the Sparks showed resilience and fought until the end, they ultimately fell short against a formidable New York team. The loss serves as a reminder for the Sparks to continue honing their skills and improving their execution in future games.
