The New York Liberty and Los Angeles Sparks meet Tuesday night in a matchup loaded with playoff implications, as one team looks to lock in a top seed and the other fights to stay alive.
Liberty Fighting to Hold Second Place
For much of the summer, New York looked like a contender for the league’s top seed. But an uneven stretch has shifted the picture. The Liberty’s recent form has been a roller coaster — a five-game winning streak, followed by a four-game slide, then three straight wins. That momentum was cut short on Sunday in an 83-71 defeat to the Minnesota Lynx.
Natasha Cloud led New York with 14 points in that loss, while Jonquel Jones and Emma Meesseman each chipped in 11.
At 20-11, they still have a firm grip on the No. 2 seed, but the margin isn’t huge. A slip here could open the door for teams chasing from behind.
Sparks Surging After Midseason Struggles
Los Angeles was on the brink of falling out of contention in July. Now? They’re one of the hottest teams in the league.
Winning nine of their last 11 has lifted the Sparks to 15-16, just a half game shy of a playoff spot. Their latest win, a 94-91 nail-biter against Seattle, showcased the balance they’ve been searching for.
Kelsey Plum poured in 20 points with seven assists, Dearica Hamby added 19, and Cameron Brink made the most of her minutes off the bench — 14 points, two steals, and near-perfect shooting.
That run has transformed their season from survival mode to legitimate playoff chase.
Season Series Deadlocked
This isn’t the first time these teams have gone head-to-head this year, and it won’t be easy for either side to claim the upper hand. The Liberty and Sparks have split their first two meetings.
One win came courtesy of New York’s sharp perimeter shooting. The other was fueled by Los Angeles’s defensive grit and ability to get stops late.
Now, with the season series on the line, the stakes couldn’t be clearer.
Key Matchups to Watch
If the Sparks want to keep pace, they’ll need to contain Sabrina Ionescu’s playmaking while avoiding foul trouble against Jones in the post.
For the Liberty, slowing down Hamby’s inside scoring and keeping Plum from getting hot early will be crucial.
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Liberty’s bench scoring vs. Sparks’ second unit efficiency
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Three-point shooting percentage, especially for New York’s guards
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Rebounding margin, where LA has been dominant during their recent run
What’s at Stake Tonight
For New York, it’s about stability — staying ahead in the race for the No. 2 seed and keeping home-court advantage deep into the playoffs.
For Los Angeles, it’s survival — every win is critical if they want to climb into the top eight before the season ends.
And for fans? It’s a late-summer game with a playoff feel, under the bright lights of Crypto.com Arena, where every possession could swing the game and the standings.
