Bridget Carleton scored a career-high 26 as expansion Portland edged New York 98-96 for its first WNBA victory.
Portland’s expansion Fire found the kind of ending that turns firsts into history, edging the New York Liberty 98-96 on Tuesday night after Bridget Carleton’s standout scoring helped set the table for a dramatic finish.
Carleton delivered a career-high 26 points and connected on five three-pointers as Portland secured its first win of the season.. Her performance became the backbone of the Fire’s comeback swing late. including one crucial long-range shot that pushed the home side ahead 94-91 with just under three minutes remaining.
The final minute felt like it belonged to New York as much as it did Portland.. After the Liberty were whistled for a three-second violation with 13.8 seconds left. Carleton fired a three-point attempt that struck the backboard but did not find the rim.. With the shot missing, the moment could have slipped away from Portland, yet the rebound effort created the opening.
Sarah Ashlee Barker was the difference on that play.. She battled for the carom and converted a putback just before the buzzer, giving Portland the late margin it needed.. Barker’s teammates rushed in to celebrate. underscoring how quickly that single rebound possession became the defining sequence of the night.
Carla Leite supported the victory with 21 points and six assists for Portland, while Luisa Geiselsoder and Kamiah Smalls added 13 points each. Barker, despite the late heroics, finished with five points in 22 minutes off the bench, showing the win was built on both production and timely impact.
New York responded with balance across the lineup.. All five starters scored in double figures, led by rookie Pauline Astier, who posted a season-high 24 points.. Marine Johannes added 18. Jonquel Jones finished with 17 points. Breanna Stewart contributed 16 points with 10 rebounds and four blocks. and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10.
The Liberty made their share of noise from beyond the arc as well, with both teams combining for 28 made 3-pointers.. After Carleton’s late three put Portland in front. Johannes tied the game at 94 with 1:54 left on an off-balance three with the shot clock winding down. keeping New York within a possession as the clock tightened.
Portland also benefited from the urgency created by the late-game physicality and clock pressure. but New York’s situation going into the finish was also shaped by injury and availability.. Sabrina Ionescu. who was listed as not playing due to a left foot injury. was seen before the game in an Oregon sweatshirt. hugging her former Duck coach Kelly Graves. a reminder of how closely the league’s storylines connect across backgrounds.
For Portland, the crowd made the atmosphere feel like a statement. The Fire drew another major presence at home after setting a benchmark for the second largest for a home opener in WNBA history on Saturday, when 19,335 fans came through the doors.
Looking ahead, New York will remain in Portland for the second game of a back-to-back on Thursday.. For the Fire. the win provides early validation in the toughest time of an expansion run. turning a narrow. high-pressure victory into momentum they can build on while they continue finding their rhythm.
WNBA Portland Fire New York Liberty Bridget Carleton Sarah Ashlee Barker Pauline Astier