Breanna Stewart leads Liberty to victory over Sparks

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The New York Liberty delivered a commanding performance against the Los Angeles Sparks, winning 103-68 on Thursday night. Breanna Stewart led the charge with 27 points in just 20 minutes, while Sabrina Ionescu contributed 18 points and six assists. The Liberty established an early lead, scoring the first 10 points of the game and limiting the Sparks to a mere 10 points in the first quarter, resulting in a 19-point advantage. Stewart and Ionescu's offensive prowess was evident as they combined for 26 points in the first half, allowing New York to build a substantial 29-point lead by halftime. The Liberty's defense stifled the Sparks, who managed only 28 points in the first half. Stewart's shooting was particularly impressive, hitting three consecutive 3-pointers, with Kayla Thornton adding another to push the score to 80-40 late in the third quarter. This victory marked the third time this season that the Liberty won by at least 35 points, setting a new WNBA record. Additionally, New York has now led by 20 or more points at halftime on three occasions, a feat matched by only three other teams in the league this season. Thornton finished the game with 16 points, while Rae Burrell led the Sparks with 15 points. The Liberty's 103 points also represent the highest score they have ever achieved against the Sparks in their series history.