Breanna Stewart scores 27 points as Liberty Sparks cruises past

LOS ANGELES — Breanna Stewart scored 27 points in just 20 minutes, Sabrina Ionescu had 18 points and six assists and the New York Liberty defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 103-68 on Thursday night.

New York scored the first 10 points of the game, then held Los Angeles to just 10 points in the first quarter to build a 19-point lead. Stewart and Ionescu combined for 26 points in the first half, while the Sparks had just 28 and New York built a 29-point lead at halftime.

Stewart made a 3-pointer on three straight attacks and Kayla Thornton followed with a 3-pointer to make it 80-40 with 2:18 left in the third quarter.

The Liberty won by at least 35 points for the third time this season, setting a WNBA record. New York also led by 20-plus points at halftime for the third time, while the rest of the WNBA has accomplished that feat just three times this season.

Thornton finished with 16 points for New York (22-4). Stewart was 10 of 15, including 3 of 4 from distance.

Rae Burrell led Los Angeles (6-19) with 15 points. Dearica Hamby had 14 points and 13 rebounds, Rickea Jackson added 13 points and Kia Nurse scored 10.

The Liberty scored 103 points, the most they’ve ever scored against the Sparks in the series.

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