The Sparks vs Liberty matchup delivered one of the most dramatic finishes of the 2026 WNBA season. The New York Liberty held a commanding 28-point advantage over the Los Angeles Sparks before Rae Burrell and Los Angeles produced a remarkable fourth-quarter comeback. New York ultimately survived 85-81 at Barclays Center on Thursday, August 13.
Sparks vs Liberty Final Score
The New York Liberty defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 85-81.
New York controlled the game for most of the night, taking a 67-41 lead late in the third quarter and appearing headed for a comfortable victory. Instead, the Sparks exploded for 40 points in the fourth quarter and nearly completed one of the biggest comebacks in WNBA history.
The quarter-by-quarter scoring was:
- Sparks: 16, 16, 9, 40 — 81
- Liberty: 21, 28, 18, 18 — 85
The result moved the Liberty to 21-14, while the Sparks fell to 12-21.
Rae Burrell Sparks Comeback
Rae Burrell was the biggest reason the Sparks remained within striking distance.
Burrell finished with 28 points, including five three-pointers, and scored 20 points during the fourth-quarter rally. Her scoring helped Los Angeles turn a 28-point deficit into a one-point game with less than 30 seconds remaining.
Her late reverse layup brought the Sparks within one with approximately 22 seconds remaining. However, New York responded when Sabrina Ionescu knocked down two clutch free throws with 14.8 seconds left to restore a three-point advantage.
Burrell’s performance continued an impressive stretch against the Liberty. Earlier in the season, she scored 19 points during Los Angeles’ 98-97 comeback victory over New York on June 21.
New York Liberty Hold On
The New York Liberty looked dominant through the first three quarters. Sabrina Ionescu finished with 20 points, while Jonquel Jones produced a double-double and helped New York control the interior.
The Liberty’s defense and balanced offense created a huge advantage, but their execution deteriorated badly in the final period. Los Angeles scored 21 consecutive points during one stretch and eventually pulled within one.
Ionescu’s late free throws proved decisive, allowing the NY Liberty to escape with the victory.
Why the Liberty Nearly Collapsed
New York’s fourth-quarter problems were largely connected to offensive stagnation. After building a massive lead, the Liberty became more hesitant and moved away from the aggressive approach that had produced their advantage.
The Sparks took advantage by increasing their defensive pressure, attacking the basket and knocking down shots from outside. Los Angeles scored 40 points in the fourth quarter compared with just 18 for New York.
For the Liberty, the biggest positive was that they managed to stay composed enough to make the final plays and protect the win.
Sparks vs Liberty: Key Takeaways
The latest Sparks vs Liberty meeting provided several important takeaways.
Rae Burrell Is Becoming a Major Offensive Option
Burrell’s 28-point performance showed how dangerous she can be when given opportunities. Her shooting and ability to create points helped transform a blowout into a one-possession game.
New York Still Has Championship-Level Talent
Despite the collapse, the Liberty showed why they remain a dangerous playoff team. Ionescu, Jones and the rest of the veteran core gave New York enough production to build a huge lead.
Los Angeles Never Stopped Fighting
The Sparks could easily have folded after falling 28 points behind. Instead, they produced 40 points in the final period and nearly stole the game.
Previous Sparks vs Liberty Meetings in 2026
The rivalry has been particularly competitive this season.
On June 21, Los Angeles defeated New York 98-97 after Nneka Ogwumike hit a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer. Burrell scored 19 points off the bench in that memorable victory.
New York later defeated Los Angeles 113-109 on July 28. Burrell again played a major role, scoring 24 points in the Sparks’ narrow loss.
The August 13 meeting therefore added another dramatic chapter to an increasingly entertaining 2026 series.
Final Thoughts
The latest Sparks vs Liberty game was far closer than the final score suggests. New York appeared to have complete control before Los Angeles mounted a spectacular fourth-quarter comeback.
For the Sparks, Rae Burrell’s 28 points were the headline performance and demonstrated her ability to become a major scoring weapon. For the NY Liberty, the 85-81 victory was valuable, but the dramatic collapse highlighted areas the team will need to address before the playoffs.
New York ultimately got the result, while Los Angeles once again showed that it can compete with one of the WNBA’s top teams when its offense catches fire
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