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Night Court: Vandersloot Breakout Lets Liberty Sweep LA

Courtney Vandersloot was forced to the locker room in the early stages but returned to put forth a second half takeover that allowed the New York Liberty escape from Los Angeles with a two-game sweep.

Geoff Magliocchetti

In this story:

Working late was no issue for Courtney Vandersloot and the New York Liberty.

New Yorkers staying up late to take in the Liberty's Tuesday night get-together with the Los Angeles Sparks nearly endured a nightmare when Vandersloot went to the visitor's locker room during first half action at Crypto.com Arena. But the Brooklyn newcomer returned in style, posing her best scoring effort in seafoam yet in a 76-69 victory.

On a night where New York's regular scorers struggled ... shooters beyond Vandersloot had only 19 conversions from the field, including a 4-of-18 effort from three-point range ... the former Chicagoan proved she was healthy and then some with 23 points, most of that tally built through a 4-of-5 effort from three-point range. All but three of Vandersloot's points came after she tweaked her ankle while setting a screen in the second quarter. 

Vandersloot's treatment from head trainer Terri Acosta lasted into the halftime period but she immediately returned with a vengeance, hitting a three, dishing an assist to a streaking Breanna Stewart, and putting in two off a stolen inbounds pass in the third period's opening half.

The struggles beyond Vandersloot were a stark contrast from the opener to Sunday's win, which saw the Liberty (20-6) jump out to an early 21-2 lead that was never threatened until the fourth quarter. New York held no advantage in the middle frames before they were energized by Vandersloot's return to action: in addition to her personal best scoring output, Vandersloot hauled in seven rebounds and six assists. In the latter category, she's now 13 away from passing Ticha Penicheiro for second-most in WNBA history.

Despite shooting 1-of-9 from three-point range, Breanna Stewart had a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double. Head coach Sandy Brondello also made history, earning the 200th win of her career and moving into sole possession of fourth place on the all-time Liberty coaching wins list, breaking a tie with Nancy Darsch. Brondello is the ninth coach in WNBA history to reach the double-century mark. 

Los Angeles (9-17) was paced by 20 points from Nneka Ogwumike. The Liberty and Sparks will do battle once in Brooklyn on Sept. 7.

In the meantime, the Liberty's three-game road trip will wrap on Friday night when they face the Minnesota Lynx for the second time in a week (8 p.m. ET, Ion).

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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Geoff Magliocchetti
GEOFF MAGLIOCCHETTI

Editor-In-Chief at All Knicks

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