The New York Liberty erased an 11-point third-quarter deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Sparks 89–79 at Barclays Center on Thursday night, improving the defending champions to 12-5 this season. Guard Natasha Cloud scored 23 points, handed out seven assists and hit three shots from beyond the arc, while back-court partner Sabrina Ionescu added 20 points, six rebounds and six assists. The pair combined for 34 of their team’s 52 second-half points, fuelling a 13-0 run that turned a 53-42 hole into a 63-59 lead late in the third period. Forward Breanna Stewart contributed 17 points and 14 rebounds as New York held off a late Sparks push. Los Angeles, now 5-13, was led by Dearica Hamby’s 25 points and welcomed back Rae Burrell, who saw limited minutes in her first appearance since a season-opening knee injury. Newly signed guard Julie Vanloo made a brief debut. The Liberty remained without injured All-Star Jonquel Jones (sprained ankle), but regained Leonie Fiebich from international duty; the German forward’s late three-pointer effectively sealed the game.