Liberty rally but fall to Sparks after Breanna Stewart is injured in first quarter

The scoreboard didn’t display the Liberty’s potentially most substantial loss that occurred on Saturday night.

While running back on defense, seven-time All-Star Breanna Stewart raised her hand to be subbed out after appearing to suffer a non-contact lower-body injury less than four minutes into the game. She hopped on her left leg multiple times before gingerly walking off the court and into the locker room after a Los Angeles Sparks three-pointer and a Liberty timeout.

Stewart was ruled out with a lower leg injury. Coach Sandy Brondello was unable to provide additional information after the game.

“No update, haven’t heard,” Brondello said. “Hopefully she’ll be OK.”

Stewart, who won her second WNBA MVP Award in her first season with the Liberty in 2023 before leading the Liberty to the WNBA title last year, entered Saturday averaging 19.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists this season.

The Liberty couldn’t overcome losing Stewart and fell to the Sparks, 101-99, at Barclays Center in the second night of a back-to-back.

After Stewart exited with 6:33 left in the first quarter, the Liberty rallied from a 58-45 halftime deficit to tie the score three times in the fourth quarter, although they never took the lead.

Rickea Jackson scored the winning basket after receiving a pass in the post, quickly backing down Stephanie Talbot and hitting a layup as time expired.

“Obviously lucky shot and it went in, and it’s one of those things where you just kind of pat them on the back and it’s part of it,” said Sabrina Ionescu, who had 30 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

“It hurts in the moment, but it’s also one of those things you live with and just move on and try to not let it happen again.”

Natasha Cloud had 22 points and nine assists for the Liberty, who fell to 17-7 and had their winning streak snapped at five games.

Jackson had 24 points and Kelsey Plum had 20 points and eight assists for the Sparks, who improved to 11-14 after winning their fifth straight contest. Azura Stevens added 17 points and 11 rebounds and Dearica Hamby had 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Ionescu made two tying baskets in the fourth quarter, including a jumper from the elbow with 23.1 seconds left to tie the score at 99 before Jackson’s winner.

But the WNBA world will be focused on Stewart’s status, as the severity of her injury will have a significant impact on the defending WNBA champions’ hopes of repeating.

Stewart missed the entire 2019 season with a torn right Achilles.

In an injury-filled season for the Liberty, Stewart has been one of the few reliable options. She’s one of only three players who have played in all 24 games and is the only Liberty player to make 24 starts.

The Sparks led 11-9 when Stewart exited the game and opened a 35-20 advantage after the first quarter. The Sparks led by double-digits nearly the entire second quarter before the Liberty cut their lead to 74-69 entering the fourth quarter.

Ionescu completed a three-point play with 2:18 left in the fourth quarter to tie the score at 95, which was the first time in the game the Liberty weren’t trailing after Stewart’s injury. After Plum’s layup for the Sparks, Leonie Fiebich made a floater with 1:41 left to tie the score at 97.