The Portland Fire earned their first win of the 2026 expansion season with a 98-96 comeback over the New York Liberty on Tuesday at Moda Center.
Bridget Carleton scored 26 points and the Portland Fire earned their first win of the 2026 season with a 98-96 comeback over the New York Liberty on Tuesday at Moda Center.
Carla Leite added 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists for Portland. Luisa Geiselsoder scored 13 points with 5 rebounds. Kamiah Smalls made 4 of 5 three-pointers off the bench and finished with 13 points. Emily Engstler recorded 3 blocks and 3 steals in 24 minutes.
Carleton shot 9-of-16 from the field, made 5-of-11 from three-point range, and went 3-of-3 from the free-throw line. She also recorded 4 steals.
The Fire shot 50% from the field and 45.5% from three-point range while going a perfect 15-of-15 from the free-throw line. Haley Jones added 6 points and 5 rebounds in 11 minutes. Portland improved to 1-1 on the season.
Pauline Astier led the Liberty with 24 points on 10-of-14 shooting, adding 5 rebounds and 3 assists in 29 minutes. Marine Johannes added 18 points and 4 assists. Jonquel Jones posted 17 points and 7 rebounds, and Breanna Stewart finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists for a double-double.
New York shot 53.2% from the field and recorded 23 assists but committed 18 turnovers. The Fire scored 25 points off those takeaways. The Liberty dropped to 2-1 on the season.
New York led 27-21 after the first quarter and 54-47 at halftime. The Liberty held a 77-70 advantage entering the fourth before Portland outscored them 28-19 in the final period to win. The teams traded 14 lead changes and were tied 8 times.
The Liberty made 13 of 28 three-point attempts (46.4%) and outrebounded the Fire 31-26 but lost the turnover battle 18 to 14.
Stewart shot 4-of-12 from the field but went a perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line. She also blocked 3 shots.
Portland was without Samuelson (left foot) and Sutton (right knee).
The Liberty were without six players, including guard Sabrina Ionescu (left foot) and forward Sabally (cyst).
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