That’s the beauty of a super team.
This is how great Breanna Stewart is.
Despite missing two starters, the Liberty remained largely unfazed.
There may have been a temporary slowdown.
But the Liberty train continues to run, with no sign of any impediments.
They once again played without Courtney VanderSloot and Betnijah-Laney-Hamilton, but the Liberty had too much potent offense.
Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones helped the Liberty to a thumping 98-88 win over the Sparks on Saturday afternoon at Barclays Center.
It was the Liberty’s 10th win in their last 11 games and their second straight win without two starters, both of which came in consecutive home games against Los Angeles.
The win improved the Liberty to 14-3, its best start to a season in franchise history.
“This really says a lot about us being the best team and our determination to make no excuses. [players] “We’ve got to help the guys that aren’t here,” coach Sandy Brondello said. “When guys are out, everybody overcomes adversity. It’s all about the role players stepping up when they’re called upon.”
“But at the end of the day, it’s our big three being responsible and trying to play their best every day.”
Stewart, Ionescu and Jones combined to score 28 of Liberty’s 30 points by the end of the second quarter, highlighted by Ionescu’s 30-foot 3-pointer.
Stewart scored 8 of his 10 points during that stretch.
The Sparks had no way to counter Stewart, who finished with a game-high 33 points and seven assists while making 12 of 19 field goals.
She also contributed significantly defensively, recording three steals and six blocks, which tied her career high for blocks in a regular season game.
Stewart blocked a Stephanie Talbot shot on a third-quarter fast break, bringing the 13,639 rabid fans to their feet and cheering wildly.
She had 24 points, five assists and five blocks in the first half, becoming the first player in WNBA history to record 20 or more points, five assists and five blocks in a first half.
“I felt like I let them off the hook a little bit,” Stewart said of the second-quarter run. “I wanted to make sure I was calling for the ball, especially in the post. I made my 3-pointers, I kept the ball moving, and my teammates were able to find me, get in the zone and make the runs that I wanted.”
Ionescu had 24 points and nine assists, while Jones had 14 points and 13 rebounds.
Liberty’s depth goes far beyond the number of stars.
Veteran Kayla Thornton, filling in for Laney Hamilton, scored 20 points and made four 3-pointers in the third quarter.
Liberty beat Sparks. Michel Farsi of the New York Post
She first extended Liberty’s lead to 60-46 with 7:10 left in the third quarter, giving Liberty its largest lead of the game at that point after the Sparks started the second half strong.
Then Ionescu deftly found Stewart on a fast break for a 67-51 lead, and then Thornton’s other 3-pointer put the Liberty up 70-51.
Thornton soon followed with another 3-pointer to make the score 75-53 with 3:32 left in the third quarter.
Thornton made 6 of 7 3-pointers, tying a career high.
Five of those came in the second half.
“Just being ready,” Thornton said, “bringing energy and confidence, those are my two main jobs.”
Liberty stumbled briefly in the second quarter and fell behind 31-23.
But the team then went on an 8-0 run to tie the score at 31-31 with 7:07 left in the quarter, then used a 21-6 run to extend their lead to 44-37 with 3:20 left in the quarter.
The score had grown to 54-44 by halftime, and Liberty held the lead for the rest of the game.
Leonie Fiebich, who replaced Vandersloot, was quieter with seven points.
For freedom. Michel Farsi of the New York Post
Dearrica Hamby led the Sparks with 20 points.
The Sparks are without popular rookie and No. 2 overall pick Cameron Brink, who is out for the season with a torn ACL.
They shot just 29.6 percent from three-point range, while the Liberty shot 44.4 percent.
Liberty won on Saturday. Michel Farsi of the New York Post
A powerhouse Liberty team that has already looked nearly unstoppable in recent weeks will have some of its best players returning in the near future.
Who or what will stand in their way?
“It’s their dedication to the program and their dedication to each other to be the best team they can be,” Brondello said. “That’s what we’re always focused on.”
