Liberty vs Sparks: Emma Meesseman Shines as LA Loses Cameron Brink

The Liberty vs Sparks game was all the drama possible, a few stars, and the injury to one of the league’s best young players. Emma Meesseman had her best game of the season and Cameron Brink left just before halftime as the New York Liberty beat the Los Angeles Sparks 105-97.

Chris Paul, in a mocha sweatsuit and signature red Air Jordans, silently cheered on the Sparks from courtside. His voice never came, but his presence was felt in this Liberty vs Sparks clash as Kelsey Plum spearheaded Sparks’ offense. Plum canned 26 points, snagged five rebounds, and dished five assists while refusing to let the game get out of hand until the final minutes.

However, they were missing Breanna Stewart — ruled out with a right knee bone bruise — on the Liberty side, and Emma Meesseman came through in a major way. Meesseman, returning from a three year WNBA lay-off, was on form against Liberty vs Sparks, where she scored a season-high 24 points with nine rebounds. Jonquel Jones contributed 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Leonie Fiebich chipped in 20 points.

But the Liberty vs Sparks game turned on its head when with just three minutes before the intermission, Cameron Brink exited the game with what looked like a knee injury. She wasn’t there for the second act. With Brink out, the Sparks counted on Dearica Hamby and Azurá Stevens, who scored 38 points and grabbed 12 rebounds combined. Nonetheless, the Liberty were able to stay in control down the stretch.

In the last several minutes, back-to-back layups from Natasha Cloud moved the Liberty lead to 96-85. Then Sabrina Ionescu hit a huge basket, and Jesseka Landry Cloud (23 points) put the icing on the cake as the Liberty put up their biggest scoring night of the year in this Liberty vs Sparks game.

Liberty coach Sandy Brondello won her 100th game with the franchise, tying Richie Adubato for the most all-time with New York. Despite being without several key players — including Stewart, Isabelle Harrison and Nyara Sabally — New York flexed their depth and grinded out the win over Los Angeles in this Liberty vs Sparks showdown.

The Sparks were on their fifth game in eight days and keep battling. Jackson finished with 16 points, but the Sparks fell to a Liberty team that made 14 three-pointers — a season high allowed by L.A. The officiating was frustrating fans but the Liberty vs Sparks game was all about New York.