New York Liberty Defeat Los Angeles Sparks 89-79 on July 3, 2025: Detailed Player Stats and Game Analysis

On July 3, 2025, the New York Liberty overcame a slow start to defeat the Los Angeles Sparks 89-79 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, snapping a two-game losing streak and improving their record to 12-5. Natasha Cloud’s 23 points, including 11 in a pivotal third quarter, and Breanna Stewart’s double-double powered the Liberty, while Dearica Hamby’s game-high 25 points kept the Sparks competitive. The game featured 11 lead changes and eight ties, with New York’s 21-point third-quarter turnaround proving decisive. Below is a detailed breakdown of player stats and key moments, sourced from Sportskeeda, Covers.com, Silver Screen and Roll, and FOX Sports.

Game Overview

• Sport: Basketball
• League: Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA)
• Season: 2025 WNBA Regular Season
• Game Type: Regular season matchup (1st of 2 between teams)
• Date: July 3, 2025
• Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
• Matchup: Los Angeles Sparks vs New York Liberty Match Player Stats
• Final Score: New York Liberty 89, Los Angeles Sparks 79
• Attendance: 15,956
• Time of Game: 1 hour, 59 minutes
• Weather: Indoors
• Officials: Head Official – Isaac Barnett, Officials – Charles Watson, Sarah Williams
• Key Moment: Natasha Cloud’s three-point play sparked a 13-0 run in the third quarter, followed by Sabrina Ionescu’s 10 straight points, flipping a 53-42 deficit into a 63-59 lead, securing New York’s control.

New York Liberty: Offensive Highlights

The Liberty shot 42.9% from the field (30/70) and 40.0% from three (12/30), with 19 assists on 30 made field goals. They outscored the Sparks 32-18 in the third quarter, leveraging 23 points off 17 Sparks turnovers. Their 17/19 free-throw shooting (89.5%) was crucial in the tight finish.

• Natasha Cloud (SG): 23 points, 7/12 FG, 2/4 3PT, 7/7 FT, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, +12, 34 MIN. Cloud’s 11 third-quarter points, including a three-point play, ignited a 13-0 run, flipping the game.
• Breanna Stewart (PF): 17 points, 7/15 FG, 1/3 3PT, 2/2 FT, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, +8, 36 MIN. Stewart’s eight paint points in the third and 14 rebounds anchored the comeback.
• Sabrina Ionescu (PG): 19 points, 7/16 FG, 3/8 3PT, 2/2 FT, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 7 turnovers, +10, 35 MIN. Ionescu’s 10 straight points in the third, including a layup, gave New York a 63-59 lead.
• Kennedy Burke (SF): 12 points, 4/8 FG, 2/4 3PT, 2/2 FT, 3 rebounds, +6, 28 MIN. Burke’s fill-in start for Jonquel Jones included a key third-quarter three.
• Leonie Fiebich (SF, Bench): 8 points, 3/5 FG, 2/3 3PT, 2 rebounds, +5, 20 MIN. Fiebich’s fourth-quarter three-pointer with 3:30 left sealed the win at 82-74.
• Marine Johannes (SG, Bench): 5 points, 2/5 FG, 1/3 3PT, 2 assists, +4, 18 MIN. Johannes’ one-footed three-pointer and no-look pass to Stewart for a layup were first-half highlights.

The Liberty converted 5/12 third downs (41.7%) and went 4/7 with runners in scoring position in the first half, capitalizing on 23 points off turnovers. Their 32 total rebounds matched the Sparks’, but nine offensive rebounds led to 12 second-chance points.

New York Liberty: Defensive Standouts

The Liberty forced 17 turnovers, including eight steals, and blocked three shots. They held the Sparks to 48.2% field goal shooting (27/56) and 26.3% from three (5/19), limiting second-chance points despite four offensive rebounds.

• Breanna Stewart: 2 steals, 2 blocks, including a key block on Kelsey Plum’s layup attempt in the third.
• Natasha Cloud: 2 steals, disrupting Hamby’s drives in the second quarter.
• Kennedy Burke: 1 steal, helping force five Sparks turnovers in the first four minutes of the second.

New York Liberty: Special Teams

• Natasha Cloud: 7/7 FT, part of the Liberty’s 17/19 free-throw shooting (89.5%), which padded their lead in the fourth quarter.

Los Angeles Sparks: Offensive Efforts

The Sparks shot 48.2% from the field (27/56) and 26.3% from three (5/19), with 20 assists but 17 turnovers. Dearica Hamby’s 25 points and aggressive play kept them in the game, but a cold fourth quarter and turnovers doomed their chances.

• Dearica Hamby (PF): 25 points, 10/15 FG, 0/1 3PT, 5/6 FT, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks, -8, 36 MIN. Hamby’s 10 first-half points and five straight in the third built a 53-42 lead, but she faded late.
• Kelsey Plum (SG): 13 points, 2/10 FG, 1/4 3PT, 8/8 FT, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, -10, 32 MIN. Plum’s free-throw accuracy kept the Sparks close, but her 2/10 shooting hurt.
• Julie Allemand (PG): 10 points, 4/7 FG, 1/2 3PT, 1/1 FT, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, -6, 37 MIN. Allemand’s season-high 10 points, including a third-quarter three, marked her return from EuroBasket.
• Azurá Stevens (C): 9 points, 4/8 FG, 1/2 3PT, 3 rebounds, -7, 28 MIN. Stevens’ six straight points in the fourth sparked a brief comeback, cutting the deficit to 74-68.
• Rae Burrell (SG, Bench): 5 points, 2/5 FG, 0/1 3PT, 2 rebounds, -4, 16 MIN. Burrell’s reverse layup in the second marked her return from a 16-game injury absence.
• Julie Vanloo (PG, Bench): 0 points, 0/2 FG, 0/1 3PT, 1 assist, -2, 2 MIN. Vanloo debuted for the Sparks, playing two minutes in the second quarter.

The Sparks converted 4/10 third downs (40.0%) and went 3/6 with runners in scoring position, but their 17 turnovers led to 23 Liberty points. Their 20/26 free-throw shooting (76.9%) was solid but not enough to overcome the third-quarter collapse.

Los Angeles Sparks: Defensive Efforts

The Sparks forced 13 turnovers, including seven steals, and blocked three shots, but allowed 42.9% field goal shooting and 89 points. They struggled to contain Cloud and Ionescu in the third quarter.

• Dearica Hamby: 3 steals, 2 blocks, including a stop on Stewart’s drive in the second.
• Kia Nurse (SG): 1 steal, though limited to 4 points (2/5 FG, -5, 24 MIN) and benched for stretches.
• Julie Allemand: 1 steal, helping force early turnovers but overmatched by Cloud late.

Los Angeles Sparks: Special Teams

• Kelsey Plum: 8/8 FT, part of the Sparks’ 20/26 free-throw shooting (76.9%), which kept them within six points in the fourth.

Key Moments

• First Half Battle: The Sparks led 41-37 at halftime, with Hamby’s 10 points and Stewart’s 11 points and seven rebounds keeping it close. Johannes’ one-footed three and no-look pass to Stewart for a layup highlighted New York’s flair.
• Third Quarter Turnaround: Cloud’s three-point play and Ionescu’s 10 straight points fueled a 13-0 run, turning a 53-42 deficit into a 63-59 lead by the end of the third (69-59).
• Fourth Quarter Push: Stevens’ six straight points and Hamby’s layup cut the deficit to 74-68, but Fiebich’s three-pointer with 3:30 left restored an eight-point lead, sealing the 89-79 final.
• Turnover Trouble: The Sparks’ 17 turnovers, including five in the second quarter’s first four minutes, led to 23 Liberty points, while New York’s 13 turnovers yielded 12 Sparks points.
• Debuts and Returns: Julie Vanloo debuted for the Sparks, playing two minutes, while Allemand (10 points) and Burrell (5 points) returned from EuroBasket and injury, respectively.

Statistical Notes

• Three-Point Shooting: The Liberty’s 12/30 (40.0%) from three outpaced the Sparks’ 5/19 (26.3%), with Cloud and Fiebich’s threes proving clutch.
• Field Goal Efficiency: The Sparks’ 48.2% (27/56) edged the Liberty’s 42.9% (30/70), but turnovers negated their advantage.
• Turnovers: The Sparks’ 17 turnovers compared to the Liberty’s 13 led to a 23-12 edge in points off turnovers for New York.
• Rebounding: Both teams had 32 rebounds, but the Liberty’s nine offensive rebounds yielded 12 second-chance points compared to the Sparks’ four offensive rebounds and six points.
• Paint Scoring: The Sparks’ 40-34 edge in paint points, led by Hamby and Stevens, kept them competitive early.

Series Context

This was the first of two regular-season meetings in 2025, with the second scheduled for August 12, 2025, in Los Angeles. The Liberty won three of four matchups in 2024: 98-88 and 93-80 on June 22 and 20, respectively, and 103-68 on August 15, while the Sparks won 94-88 on August 28. Historically, the Liberty lead the all-time series 28-22 since 2005, with both teams averaging 77.1 points per game. The Liberty’s 2024 WNBA championship and strong roster continuity contrast with the Sparks’ rebuilding phase, reflected in their 5-13 record.

Injury Notes

• Sparks: Cameron Brink (knee, out, no return timeline) missed the game. Rae Burrell returned from a 16-game absence (unspecified injury), and Julie Allemand was back after missing seven games for EuroBasket.
• Liberty: Jonquel Jones (sprained ankle, out, 4-6 weeks projected return) was sidelined, with Kennedy Burke starting. Leonie Fiebich returned after playing for Germany in EuroBasket.

Conclusion

The New York Liberty’s 89-79 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on July 3, 2025, showcased Natasha Cloud’s 23-point explosion and Breanna Stewart’s 17-point, 14-rebound double-double, overcoming an 11-point deficit with a 32-18 third-quarter surge. Dearica Hamby’s 25 points and all-around effort kept the Sparks close, but 17 turnovers and a 26.3% three-point shooting clip doomed their upset bid. The Liberty’s 23 points off turnovers and balanced scoring secured their 12th win, while the Sparks’ 5-13 record reflects their rebuilding struggles.

For the full box score and play-by-play, visit WNBA.com, FOX Sports, CBS Sports, or Sportskeeda.

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