Sabrina Ionescu powered the New York Liberty to a narrow 95-94 win over the Chicago Sky on July 22,2026. playing at the Barclays Center, the Liberty overcame a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit to secure the victory just before the WNBA All-Star break.
Ionescu's 12-point fourth quarter at Barclays Center
The New York Liberty secured their victory through a late-game surge led by Sabrina Ionescu, who scored 12 of her team-high 29 points in the final period. According to the report, Ionescu shot 4-for-5 from the field in the fourth quarter and connected on three critical three-pointers during the final ten minutes of play.
The climax of the game occurred with 15.1 seconds remaining when Sabrina Ionescu drove to the lane for an and-1 layup to tie the score at 94. This sequence followed a high-pressure stretch where the New York Liberty forced a 24-second shot clock violation on the Chicago Sky, providing the opening needed to close the gap.
How a 12-point deficit vanished before the buzzer
The New York Liberty found themselves trailing by 12 points with less than five minutes remaining in regulation after a difficult third quarter. However, the team remained competitive thanks to the all-around performance of Breanna Stewart, who contributed 20 points, nine rebounds, and four assists to keep the game within reach.
As the report says, the game ended in a chaotic sequence where Kayla Jones missed two free throws with 3.4 seconds left, but the New York Liberty ultimately prevailed when a desperation half-court shot by Courtney Vandersloot of the Chicago Sky missed the mark. kayla Jones also provided a strong interior presence for New York, recording a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Breaking the shadow of a four-game losing streak
This victory represents a critical turning point for the New York Liberty, who are attempting to stabilize their season after a recent four-game losing streak. The win over the Chicago Sky follows an overtime victory in Dallas, suggesting that the New York Liberty are finally regaining the resilience required for deep postseason runs.
The timing of the win is strategically important as the New York Liberty head into the All-Star break. With events scheduled in Chicago this Friday and Saturday, the team will use the hiatus to regroup before traveling to Los Angeles to begin the final stretch of the regular season.
The August 2 deadline and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton's absence
Despite the win, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the New York Liberty roster regarding Betnijah Laney-Hamilton.. The player has now missed three consecutive games, and with the WNBA trade deadline approaching on August 2, her continued absence has sparked speculation about her future role with the team.
It remains unclear whether Betnijah Laney-Hamilton's absence is due to injury or strategic roster management. The source does not provide a specific reason for her missing the game at Barclays Center, leaving fans and analysts to wonder if the New York Liberty will make a move before the August 2 cutoff to alter their lineup.
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