Full Breakdown
Historic Buzzer-Beater Secures Portland Fire’s First Franchise Victory
5/14/2026, 6:27:38 AM
Game Summary: Fire Edge Liberty 98–96 on Final Play
On May 13, 2026, the Portland Fire defeated the New York Liberty 98–96 at the Moda Center in a game that ended with a buzzer-beating putback. With the score tied at 96 and under six seconds remaining, Bridget Carleton launched a three-pointer that struck the backboard. Guard Sarah Ashlee Barker secured the offensive rebound and released a second-chance shot that fell through the net as the clock expired, delivering the Fire’s first win since the franchise’s 2026 rebirth.
Rebirth of the Portland Fire: From 2000 to 2026 Expansion
The original Portland Fire competed from 2000 to 2002 before folding. The WNBA announced a new expansion in 2025, and the Fire rejoined the league for the 2026 season. Their inaugural game resulted in a loss to the Chicago Sky, making the May 13 victory a milestone for the revived franchise.
Key Players and Performances
Portland’s scoring was led by Carleton, who posted a career-high 26 points and five three-pointers. Carla Leite contributed 21 points, while bench players Kamiah Smalls (13) and Luisa Geiselsoder (13) added depth. Barker, a former Los Angeles Sparks draft pick, recorded five points, two rebounds, and three assists in 22 minutes, but her final-second bucket defined the outcome. For New York, rookie Pauline Astier scored 24 points, and Breanna Stewart was limited to 16 points on 4-of-12 shooting. The Liberty were without All-Stars Sabrina Ionescu and Satou Sabally.
Statistical Highlights
- Final score: Portland Fire 98, New York Liberty 96.
- Field-goal shooting: Portland 50 %, Liberty 45 %; three-point shooting: both teams 46 % (Portland 15-33, Liberty 13-28).
- Turnovers forced by Portland: 18, generating 25 points.
- Bench production: Portland 32 points, Liberty 11 points.
- Rebounds: Portland 20 defensive, 8 offensive; Liberty 28 defensive, 8 offensive.
Official Statements & Responses
Fire head coach Alex Sarama praised his team’s execution, noting that the game plan had never been carried out so precisely in his career. Liberty head coach Chris DeMarco acknowledged the turnover that led to the decisive possession and emphasized that the loss should not be solely attributed to rookie Pauline Astier’s mistake. Both coaches highlighted the importance of resilience as the teams prepare for a rematch.
Liberty Perspective and Criticism
The Liberty pointed to the three-second violation by Astier that gifted Portland the final opportunity. DeMarco stressed that the team’s overall performance involved “a billion mistakes” and that missing key players such as Ionescu and Sabally limited New York’s options. Astier herself admitted, “still learning,” and pledged to avoid similar errors.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Really tough to put into words how proud I am of the group – everything we’ve asked them to do, they did – just incredible,” — Alex Sarama, Fire head coach
- “I missed that first play for (Sarah Ashlee Barker) to get that rebound,” — Bridget Carleton, Fire forward
- “I’ll be honest, it’s been an emotional 24 hours. I lost somebody who was important to me yesterday. And so tonight was God’s strength not mine. So just perfect ending,” — Sarah Ashlee Barker, Fire guard
- “I knew I had to get it up quick, so I tossed it up there and it went in. It was a surreal moment after a rough game. You know you do the little things and as long as you play hard, you’re rewarded in the end.” — Sarah Ashlee Barker, Fire guard
- “Still learning. Yes, it’s my first year, so next game, I will not do this mistake for sure. It’s the first time and will never happen again. I’m still learning,” — Pauline Astier, Liberty rookie guard
Looking Ahead: Rematch and Season Implications
Portland and New York are scheduled to meet again on May 14 at 7 p.m. PST. The Fire aim to build momentum from their inaugural win, while the Liberty seek to rebound from the loss and adjust without Ionescu and Sabally. The outcome of the rematch will shape early standings in the 2026 WNBA season.
