Natasha Cloud, Sabrina Ionescu lead Liberty to comeback win over Sparks
Share this @internewscast.com

The Liberty talked this week about how good the vibes were with the team despite losing five of their past seven games.

But there was a moment Thursday night when a sliver of panic likely started to rear its ugly head.

The Liberty were down by double digits with under seven minutes left in the third quarter, and they looked all out of sorts up.

Shots weren’t falling.

Defensive miscues were happening.

The lowly Sparks looked comfortable.

Then, the Liberty flipped the switch and took off like a Formula 1 car.

The defending champion used a third-quarter surge to beat the Sparks, 89-79.

The Liberty ripped off a 27-6 run to turn an 11-point deficit into a 10-point lead by the fourth quarter.

The Liberty never allowed the Sparks back in.

In the third period, Natasha Cloud and Sabrina Ionescu delivered impressive performances, scoring 11 and 10 points each. The Liberty matched their season high for points in a quarter with 32, thanks to shooting 63 percent from the field and 71.4 percent from beyond the arc.

Cloud finished with a season-high 23 points and three 3-pointers.

She also had seven assists and four rebounds.

Breanna Stewart achieved her third double-double of the season, contributing 17 points and 14 rebounds. Ionescu also stood out with 20 points, alongside six assists and six rebounds, helping the Liberty boost their record to 12-5.

The outcome was favorable for the Liberty, yet it doesn’t fully offset their overall performance throughout the game. As a team aiming for consecutive championships, they need to maintain a high level of play as they approach the season’s midway mark.

Thursday’s game was a chance for the Liberty to be the bullies. Leonie Fiebich was back. Ionescu said the kink in her neck was gone.

More than 17,000 fans packed into Barclays Center to root for them. And the game was against the flailing Sparks, who are 11th in the league standings.

Finding that extra gear to close out the game in such a dominant fashion helped alleviate some worry.

Nevertheless, the Liberty can’t keep allowing opponents to build up leads and get comfortable, because the shots aren’t always going to fall the way they did on both sides of the floor toward the end Thursday.

The Liberty are at home for most of this month. This is the time to get their season back on track.

The way they closed out the Sparks was a good start. But they need to play better for the full 40 minutes.

The Liberty return to action Sunday against the Storm.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Security camera footage of a lion escaping and injuring people.

Scary Incident: Pet Lion Jumps Out of Garden to Attack Woman—and Owner’s Reaction is Equally as Startling

THIS is the terrifying moment a pet lion pounces on a woman…
Kelly Clarkson delays Vegas residency debut, citing vocal strain

Kelly Clarkson postpones Vegas residency debut due to vocal strain

“I am taking this weekend and next week to rest up so…
Natasha Cloud's WNBA All-Star Game case isn't straightforward

Natasha Cloud’s Pitch for WNBA All-Star Selection Is Complicated

The Liberty will be well represented at All-Star weekend in Indianapolis later…
Kerrville, Texas flooding: Camp girls missing after Guadalupe River flood waters hit Camp Mystic; at least 27 dead

Tragic Flood in Kerrville, Texas: Girls Missing from Camp Mystic After Guadalupe River Overflow; Death Toll Rises to 27

In KERRVILLE, Texas, search efforts continued Saturday as rescuers worked to locate…
3 struck by lightning on St. Pete Beach

Lightning Strikes Three People on St. Pete Beach

A 17-year-old girl was transported to Tampa General Hospital as a trauma…
Deadly social media trend threatens kids, homeowners defending themselves: 'children are going to get killed’

Dangerous Social Media Challenge Puts Kids at Risk; Homeowners Take Precautions: ‘This Could End Tragically’

Potentially dangerous social media trends are getting kids, and potentially homeowners, into…
American veterans attacked, injured while distributing aid in Gaza with US-backed group

US-backed group distributing aid in Gaza reports assault and injuries to American veterans

Two American war veterans involved with the U.S.- and Israeli-supported Gaza Humanitarian…
Tango lover sues after NYC woman claimed he spiked her drink

Tango Enthusiast Files Lawsuit After Drink-Spiking Allegation in NYC

It takes two to tango but apparently just one after-party to ruin…
Legoland opens resort in Shanghai, the first in China

Legoland launches its inaugural resort in Shanghai, China

It is one of 11 parks across the world and was built…
A Tale of 2 Parties This July 4: RNC Celebrates Greatness of USA, DNC Says American Dream 'Out of Reach'

A Story of Two Events on July 4: RNC Honors America’s Greatness, DNC Claims American Dream Is ‘Unattainable’

Their tweets on what should be a celebratory holiday highlight the widening…
Texas river flood leaves at least 13 dead and 20 children missing; camp evacuated by helicopter

Catastrophic Texas River Flood Claims 13 Lives, 20 Children Missing; Helicopter Rescue at Camp

The National Guard was called in on Friday in Texas following a…
Fever are 'more dangerous' without Caitlin Clark: ESPN analyst

ESPN Analyst Says Fever Are at Greater Risk Without Caitlin Clark

One ESPN analyst stirred the pot on “SportsCenter” after the Fever’s win…