Playing without Cameron Brink, Sparks lose to New York Liberty [Video]

NEW YORK — 

Sabrina Ionescu scored 31 points and Jonquel Jones added 22 to help the New York Liberty beat the Sparks 93-80 on Thursday night.

The Sparks were playing their first game since they lost star rookie Cameron Brink to an ACL tear in her left knee.

The Liberty (13-3) led 60-54 with 2:58 left in the third quarter before Ionescu and Jones combined to score the first 11 points of a 13-0 run to give New York a double-digit cushion. Ionescu got it started with consecutive three-pointers, and Jones added one. Ionescu then found Jones for an easy basket on the next possession.

“We talked about it right before the timeout understanding we had to go in and make a push and we did that,” Ionescu said. “Got stops defensively and got great looks offensively. Transition offense is one of our best offenses. J had some big shots and went on a really big run there and …