NEW YORK -- The Sparks (5-12) have had a few days off and now they’re back on the road yet again. This time, they’re making a stop at the Big Apple as they take on the New York Liberty on Thursday night.
The New York Liberty (11-5) are the defending WNBA champions after defeating the Minnesota Lynx in a five-game series that was probably the greatest WNBA Finals ever. Unfortunately for them, WNBA Finals MVP Jonquel Jones will not be suiting up for this game due to a sprained right ankle.
But they are the champions, after all. The Liberty have lots of great players. Two-time MVP Breanna Stewart is still one of the best players in the game today. Sabrina Ionescu is one of the best guards out there. Natasha Cloud, who was unceremoniously dealt by the Mercury, is having an all-star season. Kennedy Burke has become one of the best players off the bench. They just got back Leonie Fiebich.
“They have so many great players,” rookie guard Sarah Ashlee Barker said during practice on Tuesday. “From their starting line-up to their bench, everyone does their roles. They’re going to score at all three levels. They play fast offensively. They’re a great offensive team and then they just play together.”
The problem is that the Liberty have lost five of seven games. It’s quite a cold spell for the defending champs.
“No different than if they were undefeated,” Coach Lynne Roberts answered when asked about their approach against the cold New York team. “We’re on the road against a team who has won more games than us. We’re the underdog. We’ve got to put a chip on our shoulder and be really dialed into the game plan and what we’ve got to do.”
The Liberty average the most points in the league. Barker talked about trying to limit their scoring.
“You’re not going to hold them scoreless,” Barker said. “They’re going to score the ball but make them take tough shots. Don’t just give them anything easy. And then rebounding (the ball) and don’t let them get second chance points.”
If there’s any weakness L.A. can take advantage of, it’s offensive boards and second chance points. They are both last in those categories. And the Sparks have capable scorers that can match the Libs. Azurá Stevens has been hot as of late, averaging 17.6 points in her last five outings.
Meanwhile, this is the injured list for the Sparks on Thursday.
7/3/25 Sparks Game Status Report at Liberty:
— LA Sparks PR (@LASparksPR) July 2, 2025
#22 – Cameron Brink – NWT – Left Knee
Yes, that is it. Julie Allemand is back from Eurobasket. And Rae Burrell has been cleared and is ready to go for the first time since she got hurt during their Opening Day game in Golden State. Allemand's return meant that Shey Peddy had to be waived but in a surprise move, the Sparks also waived regular starting point guard Odyssey Sims.
This puts the Sparks roster at 11 players. And Coach Roberts has been talking about Cameron Brink coming back as of late. It may be only a matter of time for Brink.
"So we'll get Rae back. And Cam's coming back," Roberts said. "Part of the team that I signed up to coach is coming back. And that's a hell of a comeback for both of them."