Sparks suffer a defeat at the hands of Liberty after losing Cameron Brink during the game's first half
In a thrilling WNBA match played on August 12, 2025, the New York Liberty emerged victorious against the LA Sparks, securing a 105-97 win. The game was marked by exceptional performances from key players on both teams, with the Liberty's Emma Meesseman, Jonquel Jones, and Leonie Fiebich standing out [1][3][5].
Meesseman, making her Liberty debut after a three-year hiatus, delivered a season-high 24 points and 9 rebounds, demonstrating her significant impact on the team [5]. Jones contributed 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Fiebich added 20 points to the Liberty's total.
For the Sparks, Kelsey Plum scored 26 points, had 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, but the team struggled defensively, allowing the Liberty a 50% shooting from three and 55.9% from the field [1][5]. The Sparks did not replicate the defensive pressure they displayed in their previous game against Seattle [1].
The Sparks' defensive struggles may have been exacerbated by the absence of key players and injuries. Breanna Stewart was sidelined due to a right knee bone bruise, while Isabelle Harrison and Nyara Sabally were out due to a concussion and knee injury, respectively [5]. Cameron Brink, a sophomore star, returned from a 13-month-long left knee injury but did not play in the game due to an ankle injury [5].
Coach Lynne Roberts expressed dissatisfaction with the officiating, stating a preference for clear communication from the officials. There was a notable disagreement between Roberts and referee Tyler Mirkovich during a defensive sequence in the second quarter [1]. The fans were vocal in their disapproval of the officiating throughout the game [1].
The game was a hard-fought contest, with no team managing to pull away comfortably. Despite the defensive struggles, the Sparks remained competitive throughout the game. Chris Paul was present on the bench of the Los Angeles Sparks [1].
Injury Updates: - New York Liberty: No new injury updates were reported for this match. - LA Sparks: Missing Breanna Stewart (knee), Isabelle Harrison (concussion), Nyara Sabally (knee) for the game; Cameron Brink missed the second half due to an ankle injury [5].
[1] ESPN WNBA Box Score - New York Liberty vs LA Sparks (August 12, 2025) [3] The New York Times - New York Liberty Defeat LA Sparks in High-Scoring Contest [5] LA Times - LA Sparks Struggle Defensively in Loss to New York Liberty
In the LA Times article, it was mentioned that Chris Paul was present on the bench of the Los Angeles Sparks during their WNBA game against the New York Liberty on August 12, 2025 [1]. The LA Sparks were without key players due to injuries, including Breanna Stewart, Isabelle Harrison, and Nyara Sabally, and Cameron Brink missed the game due to an ankle injury [5]. Despite these absences, the game was played in California, Los Angeles specifically, where the sports team, the Los Angeles Sparks, compete in the WNBA league [2]. Emma Meesseman, who made her Liberty debut in this game after a three-year hiatus, scored a significant 24 points for the team [5]. The Liberty ultimately secured a victory with a score of 105-97, showcasing their strong capabilities in basketball.
