Ionescu Leads Liberty over LA
WNBA New York Liberty

Ionescu Leads Liberty over LA

Published on August 13, 2026 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
New York Liberty News Release


NEW YORK (Aug. 13, 2026) - The New York Liberty (21-14) held off the Los Angeles Sparks (12-21) for an 85-81 win at home.

Sabrina Ionescu led the Liberty with 20 points to go with four assists, three rebounds and two steals. Ionescu also notched her 18th straight game with a made 3-pointer, which is tied for the fourth-longest active streak in the WNBA this season. This was Ionescu's 115th career game scoring at least 15 points, the second-most in Liberty franchise history, and she also ranks second with 39 games with 15 points and multiple steals.

Jonquel Jones posted a double-double of 11 points and a season-high 18 rebounds, while adding four assists, a block and a steal on 50 percent (5-for-10) shooting from the field. This was her sixth game with 17 or more rebounds in a Liberty uniform, which is twice as many as any other player in franchise history. Jones set her season high for offensive rebounds in a single quarter with four in the first. She also tied her career high with eight rebounds in a single quarter for the third time this season, matching the number of eight-rebound quarters by the rest of the WNBA combined so far in 2026. Her 18 rebounds tied her high for rebounds in a Liberty uniform, and this was the 25th game of her career with at least 15 rebounds, which ranks as the fifth-most in WNBA history.

Rebecca Allen matched her season high with 13 points on 50 percent (5-for-10) shooting from the field and 60 percent (3-for-5) shooting from long range as she reached 1,000 points in a Liberty uniform. Allen reached double figures in scoring for the fourth straight game, matching the longest such streak of her career, and also made multiple 3-pointers for the fourth consecutive outing. This was also Allen's fourth straight game scoring in double figures while shooting at least 50 percent from the field, the longest such streak of her career.

Breanna Stewart added 11 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals as she passed Cappie Pondexter (2,971) for fourth on the Liberty's franchise scoring list. Stewart reached 500 assists in a Liberty uniform, becoming the fourth player in franchise history to record 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 500 assists with New York. This was Stewart's 25th consecutive game scoring in double figures and recording at least one steal or block, the longest such streak in the league this season and matching her own franchise record.

Pauline Astier finished with seven points, five assists, two rebounds and two steals. Astier passed Anna Cruz (121) for the second-most assists by a rookie in Liberty franchise history and matched her career high for assists in a half with four in the first half. Marine Johannès scored 10 points with two rebounds and two steals as she set her career scoring high in a single season with her 282nd point of the year. Johannès reached double figures off the bench for the 35th time in her career, the second-most such games by a Liberty reserve in franchise history. Han Xu added nine points and four rebounds off the bench.

New York went on a 9-0 run from 6:07 to 4:55 in the first and outscored the Sparks 18-2 in the paint. The Liberty also won the rebounding battle 12-7 and forced six turnovers to take a 21-16 lead after the opening frame. New York extended the lead with a 14-5 run from 9:45 to 4:45 in the second to enter the break with a 49-32 lead. The Liberty set season highs for points in the paint (32) and offensive rebounds (11) in a single half, and also matched the team's season highs for total rebounds in a half with 25 before halftime.

New York held Los Angeles to 22.2 percent (4-for-18) from the field in the third quarter and closed the frame on a 10-1 run from 3:31 to 0:27 in the third to enter the fourth with a 67-41 lead. The Sparks scored just nine points in the third quarter, marking the lowest scoring total by a Liberty opponent in any quarter this season. The Sparks closed the gap with a 21-0 run from 9:35 to 6:12 in the fourth, but the Liberty held on for an 85-81 win behind 12 fourth-quarter points from Ionescu.

New York outscored Los Angeles 50-36 in the paint and 18-7 on second-chance points while finishing with a season-high 12 steals. This was the Liberty's 30th game with at least 30 rebounds in 2026, which leads the WNBA this season, and New York extended the team's franchise record for consecutive games with 10 or more second-chance points to 17 games.

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