Liberty 85 - Sparks 81 (8/13/2026): Burrell's 28 Points Can't Save Sparks

The New York Liberty clinched a hard-fought victory over the Los Angeles Sparks with a final score of 85-81 at Barclays Center on Thursday night. This game marked the 35th contest of the 2026 WNBA regular season for both teams. The Liberty improved their record to 21-14, further asserting their position in the Eastern Conference, while the Sparks dropped to 12-21.

First Half Highlights

In the opening quarter, the Liberty established a five-point lead, ending the first period at 21-16. The second quarter saw New York extend their advantage with a strong 28-point performance, compared to Los Angeles' 16 points. By halftime, the Liberty held a commanding 49-32 lead.

The Sparks struggled to keep up with the Liberty's pace in the first half, as New York's defensive efforts limited their scoring opportunities. Rae Burrell, however, was a standout performer for Los Angeles, scoring consistently throughout the game.

Second Half Momentum Shift

The third quarter was relatively quiet, with the Liberty adding 18 points to their tally while restricting the Sparks to just 9 points. At the end of three quarters, New York had a comfortable 67-41 lead. However, the game took an unexpected turn in the fourth quarter.

The Sparks mounted a fierce comeback attempt in the final quarter, erupting for 40 points. Their aggressive offensive push put pressure on the Liberty, narrowing the gap significantly. Despite their efforts, Los Angeles fell just short of completing the comeback.

Nneka Ogwumike played a crucial role in the Sparks' late-game surge, showcasing her skills with a double-double performance, including 10 points and 11 rebounds. Meanwhile, Dearica Hamby added 16 points, but it wasn't enough to overturn the deficit.

Key Performers

For the Liberty, Rebecca Allen led the scoring with 13 points, complemented by Breanna Stewart's well-rounded effort of 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. Han Xu also contributed with 9 points in the paint.

New York's defensive prowess was on full display, as they out-rebounded Los Angeles 41-36 and forced 14 turnovers, compared to their own 11. The Liberty's ability to capitalize on free throws also proved vital, hitting 77.8% of their shots from the line.

On the Los Angeles side, Rae Burrell's 28-point performance was the highlight, as she kept the Sparks within striking distance throughout the game. However, their struggles from the free-throw line, converting only 53.8%, hindered their ability to close the gap.

Looking Ahead

With this win, the Liberty will look to maintain their winning momentum as they head to Connecticut for their next game against the Sun on August 15. The team will aim to build on their strong home performance as they face a challenging road schedule.

The Sparks, meanwhile, face another tough test on the road as they travel to Washington to take on the Mystics on August 15. With their playoff hopes dimming, Los Angeles will need to find a way to break their current losing streak.

As the regular season enters its final stretch, both teams will be keen to fine-tune their strategies and make the necessary adjustments. The Liberty are eyeing a strong finish in the East, while the Sparks look to end their season on a positive note despite their current standing.