Breanna Stewart's Historic First Half: 33 Points, 7 Assists, and a WNBA-Record 6 Blocks Lead New York Liberty to Victory

New York, New York, USA United States of America
Breanna Stewart scored 33 points, had 7 assists, and set a WNBA record with 6 blocks in the first half for New York Liberty.
New York Liberty won against Los Angeles Sparks with a score of 98-88.
Stewart made eight out of ten field goal attempts and demanded the ball in the post to ensure New York maintained their lead.
Breanna Stewart's Historic First Half: 33 Points, 7 Assists, and a WNBA-Record 6 Blocks Lead New York Liberty to Victory

Breanna Stewart led the New York Liberty to a 98-88 win over the Los Angeles Sparks in a historic first half performance. Stewart became the first player in WNBA history to have over 20 points, five assists, and five blocks in a single half. The Liberty's victory marked their tenth win in their last eleven games.

Stewart dominated both ends of the floor with an impressive stat line of 33 points, seven assists, six blocks, and three steals. Her first-half performance was particularly noteworthy as she scored 24 points and made eight out of ten field goal attempts. Stewart's impact on the game extended beyond her scoring as she also demanded the ball in the post to ensure New York maintained their lead.

The Liberty were missing key players, including Courtney Vandersloot, who had been away from the team due to personal reasons following her mother's passing. However, they still managed to outscore the Sparks 54-44 in the second quarter with Stewart leading the charge.

Stewart's performance was crucial as Los Angeles also had injury issues with Cameron Brink out for the season and Azura Stevens still sidelined after surgery on her left arm. Lexie Brown was also out due to an illness, forcing the Sparks to sign Queen Egbo to a hardship contract.

The Liberty were not without their own injuries as they were still missing Nyara Sabally (back) and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (knee).

Despite the challenges, Stewart's dominance helped New York secure a 20-point lead in the third quarter. Her chase-down block on Stephanie Talbot drew the crowd to their feet and matched her career high of six blocks.

The Liberty will next face Atlanta in a back-to-back game, while Los Angeles will travel to Phoenix for their next matchup.



Confidence

90%

Doubts
  • It is mentioned that Los Angeles had injury issues with Cameron Brink and Azura Stevens, but no details are given about their injuries or expected return dates.
  • The article mentions that Courtney Vandersloot was away from the team due to personal reasons following her mother's passing, but it does not specify if she will be out for an extended period of time.

Sources

100%

  • Unique Points
    • Breanna Stewart had 33 points, 7 assists and 6 blocks in the game.
    • Stewart became the first player in WNBA history to have over 20 points, 5 assists and 5 blocks in a half.
    • Stewart scored or assisted on 29 of New York’s 33 points in the second quarter, building a lead for the Liberty.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

80%

  • Unique Points
    • The New York Liberty have a +9.0 point differential and the best offensive rating in the WNBA at 107.5.
    • Breanna Stewart had five blocks and three steals in the game.
  • Accuracy
    • The New York Liberty are among the best in the East with a record of 13-3.
    • The Los Angeles Sparks are massive underdogs with a record of 4-12.
    • Breanna Stewart had 33 points, 7 assists and 6 blocks in the game.
  • Deception (30%)
    The article contains editorializing and selective reporting. The author expresses their opinion that the Los Angeles Sparks offer 'significant betting value' as underdogs against the New York Liberty, implying that they believe the odds are incorrect. They also only report details about the Sparks' losses and their failure to cover spreads, while glossing over the Liberty's own record and their failure to cover in a game where they were favored by 10 points.
    • Yet while the Liberty are cruising to wins, they haven't always hit the mark for bettors.
    • Although the New York Liberty enter Saturday among the best in the East, the Los Angeles Sparks offer significant betting value when they grace the Barclays Center as massive double-digit underdogs.
    • My Sparks vs. Liberty predictions expect Aari McDonald & Co. to provide bettors a safe haven for underdog wagering.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The author commits an appeal to authority fallacy by stating that the New York Liberty are one of the WNBA title favorites and have a +9.0 point differential, and the best offensive rating in the WNBA at 107.5 without providing any evidence or reasoning as to why these facts make them title favorites or why their offensive rating is superior.
    • ]The Liberty are living up to their billing as one of the WNBA title favorites so far this season.[
    • New York is just a half-game behind the Connecticut Sun for the best record in the league, has a +9.0 point differential, and owns the best offensive rating in the WNBA at 107.5.
  • Bias (95%)
    The author expresses a bias towards the underdog team, the Los Angeles Sparks, by encouraging readers to bet on them as an underdog wagering opportunity despite their losing streak and double-digit underdog status. The author also implies that New York's success has not translated well for bettors.
    • Although the Los Angeles Sparks will attempt to defy the odds and end their five-game losing streak when they take on the New York Liberty this afternoon.
      • I'm pocketing that extra point and taking Los Angeles to cover again.
        • My Sparks vs. Liberty predictions expect Aari McDonald & Co. to provide bettors a safe haven for underdog wagering.
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        100%

        • Unique Points
          • Courtney Vandersloot's mother, Jan, passed away.
          • Courtney Vandersloot has been away from the team since their June 4th win in Chicago due to personal reasons.
          • Jan Vandersloot was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in July of 2022.
          • Courtney Vandersloot spoke about her worries moving away from her mother and their tight-knit bond, which convinced her to join the New York Liberty.
          • Courtney Vandersloot has become an advocate for fundraising groups targeting multiple myeloma.
        • Accuracy
          No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        100%

        • Unique Points
          • Stewart had five blocks and five assists in the first half, making her the first player in WNBA history to achieve this feat.
          • Stewart demanded the ball in the post during the game.
        • Accuracy
          No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        100%

        • Unique Points
          • Breanna Stewart had eight of ten field goal attempts and five blocks in the first half.
          • Stewart became the first player in WNBA history to have over 20 points, five assists, and five blocks in a half.
          • Thornton hit all six of her 3-point attempts in the second half.
        • Accuracy
          No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication