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Portland Fire Edge Liberty 98-96 on Barker Buzzer-Beater

5/14/2026

Summary

Barker Buzzer-Beater

The Portland Fire beat the New York Liberty 98–96 when guard Sarah Ashlee Barker made a buzzer-beating putback.
Carleton recorded a career-high 26 points, hitting five of 11 three-pointers and adding four steals.
Portland shot 45% from three, 50% overall and 100% from the free-throw line.
Barker contributed five points, two rebounds and three assists in 22 minutes and called the moment emotional.

Summary

Barker Perfect Ending

Portland Fire earned their first win since re-entering the WNBA on May 12, 2026.
Guard Sarah Ashlee Barker called it a “perfect ending” after an emotional 24-hour period.
Rookie Pauline Astimer, 18, from France, entered rookie-of-the-year talk despite a three-second violation.
Liberty coach Chris DeMarco said the team made “a billion mistakes” and refused to blame the rookie.
Portland and New York will play again Thursday night.

Summary

Portland Defense Wins

Portland’s defense forced 18 turnovers, including eight steals that produced 25 points.
Breanna Stewart grabbed 10 rebounds, nine on the defensive glass, despite scoring only four points.
Kamiah Smalls returned from injury and scored 13 points, hitting four of five threes.
Coach Alex Sarama said the team must build an identity because it lacks a star, achieving the franchise’s first win since rebirth after folding in 2002.

History

Historical Context

When the WNBA launched in 1997 with eight teams, the Houston Comets captured the inaugural championship, proving professional women's basketball could thrive. League co-founder Val Ackerman reported a $1 million television rights deal that season, and star guard Cynthia Cooper averaged 22.3 points per game. Similarly, the reborn Portland Fire’s May 12, 2026 victory over the New York Liberty echoes that early breakthrough, with rookie Sarah Ashlee Barker delivering a buzzer-beating putback. That parallel suggests the franchise’s resurgence may cement lasting fan support and inspire future expansion, reinforcing the league’s growth trajectory.

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Barker Buzzer-Beater

The Portland Fire beat the New York Liberty 98–96 when guard Sarah Ashlee Barker made a buzzer-beating putback.
Carleton recorded a career-high 26 points, hitting five of 11 three-pointers and adding four steals.
Portland shot 45% from three, 50% overall and 100% from the free-throw line.
Barker contributed five points, two rebounds and three assists in 22 minutes and called the moment emotional.

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