⁠⁠New York Liberty vs LA Sparks: Prediction and odds | August 15, 2024

The ⁠⁠New York Liberty vs LA Sparks matchup is one of the three WNBA games scheduled for Thursday. This will be the third meeting between the two teams this season, with New York winning the last game 98-88 on June 22. Thursday’s three games will mark the return of league action after a month-long break due to the All-Star Weekend and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Liberty were the best team in the first half of the season with a 21-4 record. They lead the East and are first overall. Meanwhile, the Sparks struggled and are fifth in the West and 10th overall with a 6-18 record.

⁠⁠New York Liberty vs LA Sparks game details and odds

The ⁠⁠New York Liberty vs LA Sparks game is scheduled for 9 p.m. EDT on Thursday, Aug. 15, at Crypto.com Arena. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. It won’t stream live on WNBA League Pass and will only be made available once it ends.

Moneyline: Liberty (-700) vs. Sparks (+500)

Spread: Liberty (-11) vs. Sparks (+11)

Total (O/U): Liberty -110 (o165) vs. Sparks -110 (u165)

Editor's note: The odds could change close to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.

⁠⁠New York Liberty vs LA Sparks preview

The two teams have met 63 times in the regular season, with New York leading the all-time series 32-31. Despite being a closely-contested matchup historically, the Liberty have dominated the rivalry in recent times and are on a seven-game win streak.

⁠⁠New York Liberty vs LA Sparks starting lineups

The Liberty have listed Betnijah Laney-Hamilton as out with a knee injury. New York coach Sandy Brondello should start:

PG: Sabrina Ionescu SG: Courtney Vandersloot SF: Breanna Stewart PF: Leonie Fiebich C: Jonquel Jones

New York’s key bench players should be Kennedy Burke, Kayla Thornton and Ivana Dojkic.

The Sparks will be without Cameron Brink for the rest of the season because of an ACL tear. The team will also be without Lexie Brown (illness), Stephanie Talbot (right foot) and Aari McDonald (foot) on Thursday. LA coach Curt Miller should start:

PG: Rae Burrell SG: Kia Nurse SF: Rickea Jackson PF: Dearica Hamby C: Azura Stevens

The Sparks’ key bench contributors should be Layshia Clarendon and Crystal Dangerfield.

Editor’s note: These are predicted starting lineups, which could change depending on the availability of players uncertain to play.

⁠⁠New York Liberty vs LA Sparks prediction

The oddsmakers favor the Liberty despite them being on the road. New York has been the most dominant team in the WNBA this season, and that trend should continue Thursday against an injury-laden LA squad. Expect New York to cover the spread and the team total to go past 165 points.