The Los Angeles Sparks will host the New York Liberty on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Tip-off is set for 10:00 PM ET. New York leads the Eastern Conference at 20-11, while Los Angeles sits at 15-16 and sixth in the West. The Sparks have been one of the league’s hottest teams, going 9-2 since mid-July and making a push toward the playoff picture.
This will be the third meeting between these teams this season. The Liberty won the first matchup at home on July 3, 89-79, while the Sparks took the second on July 26 in New York, 101-99. That victory was a key moment in Los Angeles’ turnaround, and they will look to repeat that success on their home court. New York is coming off an 83-71 loss to Minnesota, which ended their three-game winning streak.
Sparks Preview – Closing in on .500
The Sparks are within reach of an even record for the first time since May 20. They earned a 94-91 win over Seattle on Sunday, with Dearica Hamby leading the late charge. Hamby finished with 19 points, seven rebounds, and the go-ahead three-point play in the closing seconds. Kelsey Plum added 20 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, continuing her career-best pace of 6.1 assists per game.
Los Angeles has also benefited from the return of Cameron Brink, who scored 14 points off the bench on 5-of-6 shooting against the Storm. Her inside scoring and defensive presence have added depth to the Sparks’ rotation. Aerial Stevens chipped in 15 points while shooting 6-of-8 from the field, providing another efficient scoring option.
On the season, Los Angeles ranks third in field goal percentage at 46.1% and leads the WNBA in scoring at 87.8 points per game. They are 9-7 at home and have averaged 91.5 points over their last six games. Defensively, they allow opponents to shoot 44.9% from the floor, and their fourth-quarter defense will be tested against New York’s perimeter threats.
Liberty Preview – Looking to Bounce Back
The Liberty’s loss to Minnesota on Sunday exposed some of their recent struggles. Natasha Cloud led with 14 points and five assists, while Jonquel Jones and Emma Meesseman added 11 points each. Sabrina Ionescu, who scored 30 points in the last meeting with Los Angeles, was limited to 10 points on 4-of-15 shooting and missed all six of her three-point attempts.
New York is second in the league in scoring at 86.4 points per game and leads the WNBA in three-point shooting at 35.2%. They also rank first in free throw percentage at 84.2% and are the top team in made threes per game at 9.7. Their offense, however, will be tested without four key rotation players: Breanna Stewart (leg), Nyara Sabally (knee), Kayla Burke (calf), and Isabelle Harrison (concussion protocol).
The Liberty have a 7-7 road record this season and are 11-18-2 against the spread. They’ve gone just 1-8-1 ATS in their last 10 games against the Sparks. To get back in the win column, they will need Ionescu to return to her efficient scoring form, Jones to control the glass, and Cloud to continue distributing at a high level.
Key Matchup Factors
One major factor will be the battle between the Sparks’ high-paced offense and the Liberty’s perimeter shooting. Los Angeles scores in transition and can attack inside with Hamby and Stevens, while New York can put up points quickly from deep. The Sparks’ ability to guard the three-point line will be critical, as New York averages over 27 attempts from long range per game.
Rebounding will also play a key role. Los Angeles ranks sixth in rebounds per game, while New York sits in the middle of the league standings in that category. Without Stewart and Sabally, the Liberty may be vulnerable on the boards, giving the Sparks a chance to win the possession battle.
Betting Prediction
New York enters as a 3.5-point road favorite with the total set at 177.5. The Liberty have struggled to cover spreads this season, and their injury situation makes this a challenging spot. The Sparks, on the other hand, have been strong at home and are 15-15-1 ATS on the year, with a recent trend of outperforming expectations.
Given Los Angeles’ current form, full roster health, and home-court advantage, the Sparks are in a good position to keep this game close or win outright. Expect both teams to score efficiently, leading to a high total. Predicted final score: Los Angeles 91, New York 87.
Pick: Los Angeles +3.5
