Sabrina Ionescu Dominates in Liberty's 89-79 Win Over Kelsey Plum's Sparks
A dominant second-half comeback from New York (12-5) fueled the home Liberty to a convincing 89-79 over the road Sparks (5-13) on Thursday night. It marks Los Angeles' sixth loss in its last seven contests.
Read more: Caitlin Clark Returns From Injury in Advance of Huge Matchup Against Sparks
Natasha Cloud led the Liberty with a team-high 23 points and seven assists — one of four players in double figures. Sabrina Ionescu poured in 20 points in 35 minutes, while Breanna Stewart finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds. Kennedy Burke added 12 points.
Battled with the best of 'em. pic.twitter.com/lZdUA8xcrR
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) July 4, 2025
Los Angeles led, 41-37, at the half. However, the road advantage didn't last — New York's red-hot offense carried out a fast 32-18 scoring run through the third period to seal its eventual double-digit win.
I feel like it has just kind of been the story of our season of how we’re able to kind of lock in, and most of the time it’s kind of annoying because we kind of do it to ourselves," Ionescu said. "But I think I’m obviously just proud of the way that we fought back.”
The @nyliberty backcourt put on a masterclass—dropping 17 PTS each in the 2nd half—in their win over the Sparks 🙌
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 4, 2025
Natasha Cloud: 23 PTS, 7 AST, 4 REB, 3 3PM
Sabrina Ionescu: 20 PTS, 6 REB, 6 AST, 3 3PM#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/o0NgftA6Xd
Sparks' forward Dearica Hamby finished with a game-high 25 points and nine rebounds in an impressive effort — providing a much-needed offensive spark alongside fellow double-digit scorers Kelsey Plum (13 points), Azura Stevens (12 points) and Julie Allemand (10 points).
un
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) July 4, 2025
deux
trois@JulieAllemand x @WNBA pic.twitter.com/sYLbWmpE8I
Read more: Sparks' Kelsey Plum Shocked After Wild Exchange With Paige Bueckers
It marked Allemand's WNBA return, and her first game for the purple and gold since June 9, after spending time away due to overseas commitments, per a release. She helped lead Belgium to its second consecutive FIBA EuroBasket crown last Sunday.
Straight cash 🤑@Raehoops x @wnba pic.twitter.com/NuitFkTQOW
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) July 3, 2025
Read more: Sparks' Rickea Jackson Reveals Close Relationship With WNBA Player
Rae Burrell added five points and two rebounds in Thursday night's defeat — her first game back from injury suffered in Los Angeles' May 16 season opener.
The Sparks complete their two-game road trip with a Saturday contest against the Fever — a team Los Angeles beat, 85-75, on June 26 — at Indiana's Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
More Sparks news:
A'ja Wilson Speaks Out on Losing Kelsey Plum to Sparks
Sparks' Kelsey Plum Reacts to Georgia Amoore's ACL Injury
International Legend Reveals Reason For Rejoining LA
Sparks Waive Two Players Ahead of 2025 Season
Sparks’ Cameron Brink Revisits Feeling After Tearing ACL
For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Sparks, visit Los Angeles Sparks on SI.
Ben Geffner is an award-winning sports journalist and current student at the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism. A greater Los Angeles native now with countless years of extensive and dedicated experience — including beat reporting, writing, play-by-play broadcast, television anchoring, podcasting and video production — Ben remains eager to contribute as credentialed media covering the LA Sparks.
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