Ionescu scores 20 points and Liberty avoid record collapse to hold off Sparks

NEW YORK (AP) — Sabrina Ionescu scored 20 points and the New York Liberty avoided one of the biggest collapses in WNBA history, holding off the Los Angeles Sparks 85-81 on Thursday night.

New York (21-14) led 69-41 early in the fourth quarter and looked poised to cruise to an easy victory when Los Angeles scored 21 straight points to get within striking distance.

The Sparks (12-21) only trailed 82-79 with 26.6 seconds left and were in position to match the Chicago Sky for the biggest comeback in league history. The Sky rallied from 28-down to beat Las Vegas in 2022. Rae Burrell got Los Angeles within one on a reverse layup with 22 seconds left. Ionescu hit two free throws with 14.8 remaining to restore the three-point advantage.

Los Angeles had one last chance, but Ariel Atkins missed a 3-pointer from the wing with seven seconds left and Ionescu hit a free throw with 3.2 seconds left to seal the win.

Los Angeles also lost Cameron Brink earlier in the fourth quarter. She helped key the game-changing run, drawing an offensive foul on Breanna Stewart. Brink was down on the floor for a few minutes before being helped to the locker room with a towel over her head. She took a shot to the stomach area from Stewart to get the offensive foul called. A few minutes earlier Brink and Burrell banged heads.

Burrell finished with a career-high 28 points.

New York got a scare in the third when Ionescu left the game. She went down awkwardly after playing defense and quickly grabbed her right foot. She subbed out soon after and jogged up the tunnel back to the locker room area. She returned about four minutes later on the game clock to a nice ovation from the crowd.

Jonquel Jones was a big reason the Liberty built a 49-32 lead at the half with 10 points and 12 rebounds. New York extended the advantage to 26 after three quarters and 69-41 before Los Angeles rallied.

New York was still playing without Leonie Fiebich and Satou Sabally. Coach Chris DeMarco said that there's no timetable on Fiebich's return and that Sabally, who has been sidelined for over a month with a concussion was away from the team .

Sparks: At Washington on Saturday.

Liberty: At Connecticut on Saturday.

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