Sparks have no answer for Breanna Stewart in loss to Liberty

NEW YORK — Breanna Stewart had 33 points, seven assists and six blocks to help the New York Liberty beat the Sparks 98-88 on Saturday at Barclays Center.

Dearica Hamby scored 20 points to lead the Sparks (4-13), who are still dealing with major injuries and are 0-6 on this seven-game road trip. Rookie Cameron Brink is out for the season with a torn ACL in her left knee and Azura Stevens has been sidelined all season after having surgery on her left arm. Lexie Brown didn’t play in New York because of an illness.

The Sparks announced before the game the signing of 6-foot-4 center Queen Egbo to a hardship contract. The former Baylor star arrived in New York late Friday night and, without any prep time to make her a custom jersey, wore No. 44 with white tape over the jersey name. Egbo came off the bench and played three minutes with two points and two rebounds.

Sabrina Ionescu added 24 points and Kayla Thornton had 20 for New York (14-3), which has won 10 of its last 11 games, including the first meeting between the teams 93-80 on Thursday.

Stewart made sure they’d sweep the two games. She had an incredible first half on both ends of the floor, scoring 24 points and five assists to go along with five blocks. She became the first player in WNBA history to have over 20 points, five assists and five blocks in a half.

Stewart, who also had three steals, made eight of her 10 shots from the field in the opening 20 minutes.

New York trailed 31-23 early in the second quarter before the reigning MVP took over. Stewart outscored the Sparks 19-13 the rest of the period as the Liberty built a 54-44 lead at the half.

The Liberty put the game away in the third quarter and, ahead by 20, Stewart had a chase-down block on Stephanie Talbot that drew the crowd to its feet. That matched Stewart’s career-high of six blocks.

The Sparks, who got 11 points, eight rebounds and seven assist from Talbot, have several days off before playing the Mercury on Friday night in Phoenix. Zia Cooke added 14 points in the loss and Kia Nurse scored 12.

New York was still missing guard Courtney Vandersloot, who has missed seven games to be with her mom who passed away over the weekend. Vandersloot did return to the team Saturday and was warming up before the game.

“It’s been a tough time for her and her family,” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said. “She’s back in town, but we’re just ramping her up a little bit. “

The Liberty were also still playing without Nyara Sabally (back) and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (knee).