Full Breakdown
Liberty's 3-4 Start Stymied by Third Straight Home Loss
5/26/2026, 12:18:27 PM
Game Summary: Fire Edge Liberty 81-74
On Monday night at Barclays Center, the expansion Portland Fire defeated the New York Liberty 81-74, handing the Liberty their third consecutive home loss and a 3-4 record. The Fire rallied from a 65-60 deficit in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 straight points—seven of them from Sarah Ashlee Barker—to seize a 72-65 lead. Carla Leite capped the comeback with an 18-point performance, including a go-ahead three-pointer with 13.7 seconds remaining.
Key Performances
Breanna Stewart led New York with 25 points on 4-of-11 shooting. Marine Johannes contributed 11 points and a highlight pass to Jonquel Jones for a layup. For Portland, Carla Leite’s 18 points anchored the offense, while Barker’s seven points—all in the final quarter—proved decisive.
Injuries and Roster Availability
The Liberty entered the contest without star guard Sabrina Ionescu, who missed her second consecutive game due to a left-foot injury. Satou Sabally left after four minutes because of illness, scoring two points before exiting. Coach Chris DeMarco confirmed Sabally “wasn’t feeling well” in the first quarter. Forward Leonie Fiebich remained unavailable after returning from overseas play.
Official Statements & Responses
Coach DeMarco acknowledged the loss as a typical ebb in a rebuilding season, noting that turnovers “hurt us” after the team surrendered a lead. He highlighted defensive improvements and expressed confidence ahead of the upcoming home series against Phoenix. Stewart emphasized the learning curve, urging patience as the roster integrates new pieces. The Liberty’s front office has not released a formal comment from the Fire’s staff.
Criticism & Opposition
Jonquel Jones identified “ill-advised turnovers” as a key factor in the fourth-quarter collapse. Portland’s coach Alex Sarama voiced concerns about his team’s offensive rebounding, saying he was “more concerned that we’re not getting more offensively, especially with all the crashing that we’re trying to emphasize as a group.”
Data & Statistics
- Liberty record: 3-4 (first sub-.500 mark since the 2023 season).
- Home losing streak: three straight, a pattern not seen since 2022.
- Turnovers: Liberty forced 19, but committed 7 in the final quarter.
- Fire’s season: 4-3 after the win; three losses were each by 15+ points.
- Scoring: Liberty led 57-49 after three quarters; Fire outscored them 27-17 in the fourth.
Why It Matters
The loss underscores the Liberty’s struggle to find cohesion amid injuries and the integration of high-profile offseason acquisitions. With four consecutive home games remaining, the outcome will influence the team’s playoff positioning and the perception of head coach Chris DeMarco’s early tenure.
Verbatim Quotes
- “No, definitely not,” — Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty forward
- “It’s an illness. She wasn’t feeling well,” — Chris DeMarco, New York Liberty head coach
- “I think we had some ill-advised turnovers,” — Jonquel Jones, New York Liberty forward
- “I was more concerned that we’re not getting more offensively, especially with all the crashing that we’re trying to emphasize as a group,” — Alex Sarama, Portland Fire head coach
- “This is how it goes sometimes,” — Chris DeMarco, New York Liberty head coach
- “I liked the way we came out in the second half,” — Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty forward
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
One source described the Liberty as a “.500 team” (implying a 3-3 record) while other reports consistently listed a 3-4 record after the loss, indicating a timing discrepancy. No post-game comments from Portland’s coaching staff were provided, leaving the Fire’s perspective on the victory undocumented.
What’s Next
The Liberty close their homestand with back-to-back games against the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday and Friday, both at Barclays Center. The Fire return to Portland to face the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday, aiming to extend their early-season momentum.
