Breanna Stewart scored 33 points to lead the New York Liberty to a 98-88 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday. With the win, the Liberty improved their record to 14-3, the best start through 17 games in franchise history.
Last season’s squad posted a franchise-high 18-5 record, but its .783 winning percentage is less than the .824 mark this year’s Liberty team currently has. The 2023 Liberty had a record of 13-4 (.765) after 17 games.
Stewie led the charge in the Liberty’s 98-83 victory against the Sparks 😤
The Liberty (14-3) are now off to their best start in franchise history! pic.twitter.com/x3qcqzmdKn
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 22, 2024
At 14-3, the Liberty currently still trails the Connecticut Sun, who own the WNBA’s best record at 13-2 going into Saturday’s road matchup with the Seattle Storm (9-6).
Stewart shot 12-for-19 from the floor while adding seven assists, six blocks and three steals. The 33 points match her season high, which she also reached in a June 4 game against the Chicago Sky. (She scored a career-high and franchise-high 45 points against the Indiana Fever last season.) Stewart also became the first player in WNBA history to score more than 20 (24) points, five assists and five blocks in a single half of action.
Breanna Stewart put on a MONSTER first half performance against the LA Sparks ⬇️
24 PTS
5 AST
5 BLK
3 STL
8-10 FG
3-5 3PTShe becomes the first player in WNBA history to record 20+ PTS, 5+ AST and 5+ BLK in one half! pic.twitter.com/Cw2J0AElco
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 22, 2024
Sabrina Ionescu added 24 points, six rebounds and nine assists for New York, while Kayla Thornton scored 20 points (6-for-7 on 3-pointers) and six rebounds.
Saturday’s win was the second consecutive victory over the Sparks, with the two teams facing back-to-back at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn in a curious schedule irregularity. New York also won Thursday, 93-80.
Los Angeles was led by Dearica Hamby’s 20 points, six rebounds, five assists and three blocks. Zia Cooke followed with 14 points. This was the Sparks’ second game since star rookie Cameron Brink suffered a knee injury in Tuesday’s loss to the Sun.
The Liberty played without Courtney Vandersloot – who was away from the team to be with her mother, who died last weekend. New York was also without Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, recovering from a knee injury, and Nyara Sabally, out with a back injury.
Next up for the Liberty is a road game with the Atlanta Dream on Sunday before getting the week off. The Sparks travel to play the Phoenix Mercury on Friday.
