Trailing by 5 factors, Portland went on a 12-0 run late within the fourth quarter to stun the host New York Liberty 81-74 on Monday night time.
The Fireplace, who characteristic balanced scoring, have been led by Carla Leite, who had 18 factors. Megan Gustafson added 11 factors, and Bridget Carleton and Teja Oblak added 10 factors every.
New York’s Breanna Stewart had a game-high 25 factors to go along with seven rebounds. Marine Johannes added 17 factors and a game-high six assists. And Jonquel Jones added 12 factors and a game-high 11 rebounds.
It was the third straight loss for the Liberty, who received the WNBA championship in 2024.
Portland, an enlargement crew, received consecutive video games for the primary time. The Fireplace additionally received their season sequence with New York, 2-1.
The Liberty performed with out four-time All-Star Sabrina Ionescu, who was rested. She missed the season’s first 5 video games attributable to a left-foot harm, performed on Sunday after which acquired the night time off on Monday.
New York is now 0-3 to start out a seven-game homestand, which will likely be its longest all season.
Portland’s Karie Samuelson, who has been battling an harm to her left foot, made her season debut. She scored two factors in 17 minutes off the bench.
The Fireplace led by as many as seven factors within the first quarter however settled for a 19-18 benefit by the tip of the body. Each groups shot 40.0 % within the interval.
Neither crew acquired sizzling within the second quarter as Portland elevated its lead barely — to 35-33 at halftime.
Portland missed its first three photographs of the second half, permitting New York to surge forward 39-35. By the tip of the third quarter, New York grabbed a 57-49 lead thanks largely to 10 factors from Stewart.
Within the fourth quarter, it was Portland’s flip to get again on prime as Sarah Ashlee Barker made a 3-pointer to offer the Fireplace a 67-65 lead with 3:36 remaining. That was a part of Portland’s aforementioned 12-0 run.
New York nonetheless had an opportunity, trailing 74-71 with 29 seconds left. Nonetheless, Leite responded with a 3-pointer with 14 seconds left, and that was an excessive amount of for the Liberty.
–Subject Stage Media
