SouthernWorldwide.com – The Portland Fire secured their inaugural victory in franchise history with a thrilling buzzer-beater against the New York Liberty on Tuesday night.
The game was deadlocked at 96-96 with less than six seconds remaining. Portland held possession for what would be the final play. Bridget Carleton, a guard for the Fire, attempted a three-pointer but narrowly missed the mark.
In a remarkable turn of events, Sarah Ashlee Barker of Portland managed to secure the rebound and release a shot just as the buzzer sounded. Barker’s clutch shot found the net, giving Portland a narrow 98-96 victory.
This marks the first win for the expansion franchise since its re-entry into the league.
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Portland re-established its presence in the WNBA during the 2026 season, forging a new chapter for the team. The original iteration of the Fire debuted in the league in 2000. That team competed through the 2002 season but failed to reach the playoffs and subsequently ceased operations before the 2003 season commenced.
Carleton was the leading scorer for Portland with 26 points, including five successful three-pointers. Barker contributed five points in her 22 minutes off the bench, with her final points proving to be the most significant. Carla Leite added 21 points, and Kamiah Smalls chipped in 13 points as a reserve.
The Liberty showcased strong offensive performance, shooting 53% from the field. All of their starting players reached double-digit scoring figures. Pauline Astier led the Liberty with 24 points, while Breanna Stewart contributed 16 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists.
Following this game, Portland’s record improves to 1-1 for the season, while the New York Liberty’s record now stands at 2-1.
