Sparks Stun Liberty with Buzzer-Beater, Ending WNBA’s Longest Winning Streak
In a dramatic showdown at Barclays Center, the Los Angeles Sparks delivered a Hollywood ending at the expense of the New York Liberty, snapping the WNBA’s longest winning streak with a 101-99 thriller on Saturday night. Rookie Rickea Jackson’s last-second layup sealed the victory, marking a stunning upset for a Sparks team that had been mired in a six-game losing streak. The loss was particularly painful for the Liberty, who not only saw their streak end but also lost star forward Breanna Stewart to a lower leg injury just three minutes into the game. Stewart finished with three points and one rebound before exiting to the locker room.
The game was a tale of two narratives: the Liberty’s historic homestand and the Sparks’ desperate fight to break their slump. New York had won six of eight games during their longest homestand of the season, but the Sparks played with inspiration and determination, especially after trailing since early in the first quarter. The Liberty needed to win by six points or more to cover the spread, but the teams combined for 222 points, easily surpassing the over. The Sparks tied the score at 39 late in the second quarter and kept the pressure on throughout the second half.
Earlier in the week, the Sparks had fallen to the Liberty 113-109 on Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena, a night when the Liberty celebrated a franchise legend’s jersey retirement. That loss extended Los Angeles’ losing streak to six games, dating back to a July 13 defeat to the Dream. However, the Sparks showed resilience in the rematch, with Jackson’s heroics providing a much-needed boost. The Liberty, now without Stewart for an undetermined period, face an uncertain path forward as they aim to maintain their position atop the standings.
The victory not only ended the Sparks’ skid but also highlighted the unpredictability of the WNBA. For the Liberty, the loss serves as a reminder that no lead is safe, especially against a team fighting to stay relevant in the playoff race. As the season progresses, both teams will look to build on this intense rivalry, with the Sparks hoping to use this win as a springboard and the Liberty seeking to regroup without their star player.
Shimanta Das 
