League: WNBA Sport: Basketball Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Ionescu scores 20 points as Liberty hold off Sparks, 85-81

3 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 14, 2026, 3:55 AM

Last updated Aug 14, 2026

Ionescu scores 20 points as Liberty hold off Sparks, 85-81

Summary

Sabrina Ionescu led the New York Liberty with 20 points in an 85-81 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on Thursday night. The Liberty, holding a 69-41 lead early in the fourth quarter, faced a significant threat as the Sparks launched a 21-point run, narrowing the gap to just one possession late in the game. Despite the late push from Los Angeles, Ionescu made crucial free throws to secure the win. Rae Burrell scored a career-high 28 points for the Sparks, who also lost Cameron Brink to injury during a crucial moment in the game. Both teams are set to play again on Saturday, with the Sparks visiting Washington and the Liberty facing Connecticut.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Status Watch

•Liberty improve to 21-14; Sparks fall to 12-21.
•New York led by 26 points before Sparks staged a comeback.
•Brink left the game due to injury after a collision.
•Ionescu scored 12 points in the fourth quarter.
•Next games: Sparks at Washington, Liberty at Connecticut on Saturday.

Latest Updates

3:55 AMYahoo Sports — Liberty hold off Sparks 85-81 as Ionescu scores 20
2:21 AMYahoo Sports — Ionescu scores 20 points and Liberty avoid record collapse to hold off Sparks
2:21 AMYahoo Sports — Sabrina Ionescu's 12 fourth quarter points help Liberty hold off Sparks, 85-81

What they're saying

"
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.
— Yahoo Sportsby The Associated Press

"
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.
— Yahoo Sportsby DOUG FEINBERG