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08/13 21:52 CDT Ionescu scores 20 points and Liberty avoid record collapse to
hold off Sparks
Ionescu scores 20 points and Liberty avoid record collapse to hold off Sparks
By DOUG FEINBERG
AP Basketball Writer
NEW YORK (AP) --- Sabrina Ionescu scored 20 points and the New York Liberty
avoided one of the biggest collapses in WNBA history, holding off the Los
Angeles Sparks 85-81 on Thursday night.
New York (21-14) led 69-41 early in the fourth quarter and looked poised to
cruise to an easy victory when Los Angeles scored 21 straight points to get
within striking distance.
The Sparks (12-21) only trailed 82-79 with 26.6 seconds left and were in
position to match the Chicago Sky for the biggest comeback in league history.
The Sky rallied from 28-down to beat Las Vegas in 2022. Rae Burrell got Los
Angeles within one on a reverse layup with 22 seconds left. Ionescu hit two
free throws with 14.8 remaining to restore the three-point advantage.
Los Angeles had one last chance, but Ariel Atkins missed a 3-pointer from the
wing with seven seconds left and Ionescu hit a free throw with 3.2 seconds left
to seal the win.
Los Angeles also lost Cameron Brink earlier in the fourth quarter. She helped
key the game-changing run, drawing an offensive foul on Breanna Stewart. Brink
was down on the floor for a few minutes before being helped to the locker room
with a towel over her head. She took a shot to the stomach area from Stewart to
get the offensive foul called. A few minutes earlier Brink and Burrell banged
heads.
Los Angeles coach Lynne Roberts said postgame that Brink was being evaluated by
doctors after a "brutal hit to the ribs", but didn't have an update other than
that.
Burrell finished with a career-high 28 points, scoring 20 in the fourth quarter.
New York got a scare in the third when Ionescu left the game. She went down
awkwardly after playing defense and quickly grabbed her right foot. She subbed
out soon after and jogged up the tunnel back to the locker room area. She
returned about four minutes later on the game clock to a nice ovation from the
crowd.
Jonquel Jones was a big reason the Liberty built a 49-32 lead at the half with
10 points and 12 rebounds. New York extended the advantage to 26 after three
quarters and 69-41 before Los Angeles rallied.
New York was still playing without Leonie Fiebich and Satou Sabally. Coach
Chris DeMarco said that there's no timetable on Fiebich's return and that
Sabally, who has been sidelined for over a month with a concussion was away
from the team.
Up next Sparks: At Washington on Saturday. Liberty: At Connecticut on Saturday. ___ See AP's full WNBA coverage here
Up next Sparks: At Washington on Saturday. Liberty: At Connecticut on Saturday. ___ See AP's full WNBA coverage here
