LOS ANGELES — Sabrina Ionescu buried a step-back three-pointer with 1:12 remaining to push the lead to five, and the New York Liberty held on to beat the Los Angeles Sparks 88-84 at Crypto.com Arena.
Ionescu finished with 27 points. Jonquel Jones added 18 points and 10 rebounds, dominating the paint in stretches. The Liberty, now 18-5, kept their grip on the top of the Eastern Conference standings with the road win.
The Sparks fought back throughout the fourth quarter, staying within one possession for long stretches, but could not close the gap. Dearica Hamby led Los Angeles with 23 points and nine rebounds. Rookie Rickea Jackson contributed 15 points off the bench and showed flashes of her potential. The Sparks fall to 9-14.
Rajon Rondo, a four-time NBA champion, watched from courtside. The former Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers point guard—known for his passing and basketball IQ during his playing career—drew attention with his presence and watched intently throughout.
The WNBA has seen consistent growth in recent seasons, with attendance up 14 percent year-over-year and viewership climbing alongside it. The Liberty's ability to execute in late-game situations proved the difference here, and at 18-5, they are firmly on pace for a top playoff seed.
