Sparks Edge Liberty in Thrilling Finish
Sunday, June 21, 2026, 8:00 PM ET · crypto.com Arena
Los Angeles Sparks 98, New York Liberty 97, final. Our WNBA picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won New York Liberty vs Los Angeles Sparks?
Los Angeles Sparks beat New York Liberty 98-97 at crypto.com Arena on June 21, 2026.
Who was favored in New York Liberty vs Los Angeles Sparks?
New York Liberty were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -218 (about 69% implied). The underdog won.
In a nail-biting contest at the crypto.com Arena, the Los Angeles Sparks triumphed over the New York Liberty with a final score of 98-97. This victory not only marks a significant achievement for the Sparks, who have been struggling with consistency, but also highlights the competitive nature of the WNBA this season. The win improves the Sparks' record to 9-8, while the Liberty fall to 11-7, further intensifying the playoff race.
The Los Angeles Sparks entered this matchup with a home record of 8-8 and had been experiencing a mixed bag of results, going 5-5 in their last ten games. They had recently faced difficulties, losing their last two outings, including a defeat against the Minnesota Lynx just days prior, where they fell 83-99. Overall, the Sparks had averaged 86.8 points scored per game while allowing 88.3 points over their last ten games. Their recent form showed a slight improvement in their last five games, where they recorded a 3-2 record with an average of 85.8 points scored and 86.8 points allowed.
On the other hand, the New York Liberty came into the game with a stronger away record of 11-6, having won eight of their last ten games. However, they were coming off a loss to the Washington Mystics, where they lost 83-86. The Liberty's scoring average during their last ten games stood at 87.1 points, while they allowed 79.5 points, showcasing their defensive prowess. Their last five games indicated a solid performance with a 4-1 record and an average of 91.6 points scored, which made them formidable opponents.
Historically, the matchup between these two teams has been competitive, with the Liberty leading the series 2-1 prior to this game. In their previous encounters during the 2025 season, the Sparks had won one game while losing two, including a close contest earlier in the season where they lost 97-105 at home. This history added an extra layer of intensity to the game, as both teams aimed to assert their dominance.
In terms of injuries, the Sparks were without Aaliyah Nye, who was out due to non-injury-related issues. The Liberty also faced a setback with Satou Sabally sidelined due to a concussion, which undoubtedly impacted their lineup and strategy.
The betting market reflected the competitive nature of the matchup, with DraftKings providing the Liberty as 5.5-point favorites, indicating a close contest was expected. The total points line was set at 181.5, suggesting that a high-scoring game was anticipated.
As the game unfolded, it was clear that both teams were determined to secure a win. The fourth quarter was particularly thrilling, with the score tied at 93-93 before Nneka Ogwumike hit a crucial three-pointer, giving the Sparks a slight edge. The Liberty responded with free throws from Pauline Astier and Breanna Stewart, but the Sparks managed to clinch the game with another three-pointer from Ogwumike, securing the victory in dramatic fashion.
Overall, this matchup showcased the resilience and competitive spirit of both teams. The Sparks' ability to overcome their recent struggles and secure a win against a strong Liberty team could serve as a turning point in their season, while the Liberty will need to regroup and address their recent inconsistencies as they continue their pursuit of playoff positioning.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | NY -5.5 | 181.5 o -110 / u -110 | New York Liberty -218 · Los Angeles Sparks +180 |
Injury report
- Aaliyah NyeOutNot Injury RelatedLos Angeles Sparks
- Satou SaballyOutConcussionNew York Liberty
Leaders
- PointsNneka Ogwumike24Los Angeles Sparks
- AssistsKelsey Plum7Los Angeles Sparks
- ReboundsDearica Hamby8Los Angeles Sparks
- PointsBreanna Stewart18New York Liberty
- AssistsSatou Sabally7New York Liberty
- ReboundsBreanna Stewart10New York Liberty
Recent form
Los Angeles Sparks
Last 10: 5-5Streak L286.8 scored · 88.3 allowed per game1-3 at home
- L83-99vs Minnesota LynxJun 18
- L58-78at Golden State ValkyriesJun 16
- W111-102at Phoenix MercuryJun 14
- W88-83at Seattle StormJun 11
- W89-72vs Portland FireJun 7
- L96-104vs Dallas WingsJun 6
- L69-79vs Las Vegas AcesJun 3
- L81-84at Connecticut SunMay 30
- W92-87at Washington MysticsMay 29
- W101-95at Las Vegas AcesMay 24
New York Liberty
Last 10: 8-2Streak L187.1 scored · 79.5 allowed per game3-0 away
- L83-86vs Washington MysticsJun 19
- W96-95at Chicago SkyJun 18
- W86-64vs Washington MysticsJun 14
- W104-90at Atlanta DreamJun 11
- W89-80at Connecticut SunJun 8
- W83-75vs Indiana FeverJun 7
- W97-82vs Toronto TempoJun 3
- W75-68vs Phoenix MercuryMay 29
- W84-74vs Phoenix MercuryMay 27
- L74-81vs Portland FireMay 26
Standings
| Team | Games behind | Lost | Streak | Win % | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | - | 14 | W1 | .650 | 26 |
| Indiana | - | 14 | W2 | .650 | 26 |
| New York | 2 | 16 | W1 | .600 | 24 |
| Washington | 2 | 16 | L1 | .600 | 24 |
| Chicago | 11 | 25 | L3 | .375 | 15 |
| Toronto | 15 | 29 | L4 | .275 | 11 |
| Connecticut | 16 | 30 | L3 | .250 | 10 |
| Minnesota | - | 9 | L2 | .775 | 31 |
| Golden State | 2 | 11 | W4 | .725 | 29 |
| Las Vegas | 4 | 13 | W3 | .675 | 27 |
| Dallas | 7 | 16 | W4 | .600 | 24 |
| Portland | 15 | 24 | L1 | .400 | 16 |
| Los Angeles | 16 | 25 | W2 | .375 | 15 |
| Phoenix | 17 | 26 | W1 | .350 | 14 |
| Seattle | 23 | 32 | L1 | .200 | 8 |
Box score
| Stat | New York Liberty | Los Angeles Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 34-69 | 40-77 |
| Field goal % | 49 | 52 |
| Three-pointers | 13-36 | 9-27 |
| Three-point % | 36 | 33 |
| Free throws | 16-19 | 9-12 |
| Free throw % | 84 | 75 |
| Rebounds | 38 | 26 |
| Offensive rebounds | 9 | 7 |
| Defensive rebounds | 29 | 19 |
| Assists | 23 | 28 |
| Steals | 7 | 5 |
| Blocks | 3 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 16 | 9 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 14 | 13 |
| Fast-break points | 10 | 12 |
| Points in the paint | 42 | 60 |
| Fouls | 21 | 20 |
| Largest lead | 17 | 3 |
| Lead changes | 5 | 5 |
| Time in front | 87 | 6 |
How the scoring went
- 3rd Quarter71-56Pauline Astier makes 2-foot two point shot (Jonquel Jones assists)
- 3rd Quarter71-58Kelsey Plum makes driving layup (Ariel Atkins assists)
- 3rd Quarter71-59Kelsey Plum makes free throw 1 of 1
- 3rd Quarter72-59Pauline Astier makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter73-59Pauline Astier makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter73-61Rae Burrell makes driving layup
- 3rd Quarter73-62Rae Burrell makes free throw 1 of 1
- 3rd Quarter76-62Rebecca Allen makes 24-foot three point jumper (Satou Sabally assists)
- 3rd Quarter76-64Dearica Hamby makes driving layup (Erica Wheeler assists)
- 3rd Quarter76-65Rae Burrell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter76-66Rae Burrell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter76-67Rae Burrell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter76-68Rae Burrell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter76-70Erica Wheeler makes running layup (Dearica Hamby assists)
- 4th Quarter76-72Ariel Atkins makes 1-foot reverse layup (Erica Wheeler assists)
- 4th Quarter78-72Sabrina Ionescu makes 11-foot floating jump shot (Satou Sabally assists)
- 4th Quarter80-72Breanna Stewart makes 1-foot layup (Jonquel Jones assists)
- 4th Quarter80-74Ariel Atkins makes 1-foot layup (Rae Burrell assists)
- 4th Quarter82-74Satou Sabally makes driving layup
- 4th Quarter82-76Erica Wheeler makes 9-foot pullup jump shot
- 4th Quarter84-76Breanna Stewart makes two point shot
- 4th Quarter84-79Rae Burrell makes 25-foot three point jumper (Ariel Atkins assists)
- 4th Quarter84-81Dearica Hamby makes 2-foot two point shot
- 4th Quarter84-84Erica Wheeler makes 26-foot three pointer (Kelsey Plum assists)
- 4th Quarter85-84Satou Sabally makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter85-86Nneka Ogwumike makes running layup (Kelsey Plum assists)
- 4th Quarter85-88Nneka Ogwumike makes 7-foot two point shot
- 4th Quarter88-88Jonquel Jones makes 25-foot three point jumper (Satou Sabally assists)
- 4th Quarter90-88Breanna Stewart makes driving layup
- 4th Quarter90-90Nneka Ogwumike makes layup (Erica Wheeler assists)
- 4th Quarter92-90Pauline Astier makes driving layup
- 4th Quarter93-90Pauline Astier makes free throw 1 of 1
- 4th Quarter93-93Nneka Ogwumike makes 26-foot three point jumper (Erica Wheeler assists)
- 4th Quarter94-93Pauline Astier makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter95-93Pauline Astier makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter96-93Breanna Stewart makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter96-94Rae Burrell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter96-95Rae Burrell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter97-95Breanna Stewart makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter97-98Nneka Ogwumike makes 25-foot three point jumper (Erica Wheeler assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours Los Angeles Sparks, below favours New York Liberty.
Venue
- crypto.com ArenaLos Angeles, CA
- Attendance18043
- OfficialsFatou Cissoko-Stephens, Randy Richardson, Jason Alabanza
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WNBA rules and settlement
These two, other days
- New York Liberty Edge Los Angeles Sparks in Close ContestAug 13, 2026
- Liberty Edge Sparks in Close ContestJul 28, 2026