PORTLAND, Ore. — Rookie Pauline Astier had been spectacular for the Liberty all Tuesday night.
Two days after dropping 18 points in the Liberty’s overtime win against the Mystics, Astier scored a career- and team-high 24 points and had five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
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But Astier made a mistake on the Liberty’s final possession. She was called for an offensive three-second violation, giving the Fire the ball with 13.8 seconds left and the game tied at 96.
Sarah Ashlee Barker ultimately cemented herself in Fire history, draining the put-back game-winner at the horn that sealed the franchise’s first win as Portland beat New York 98-96.
After the game, coach Chris DeMarco made it clear that Astier’s miscue wasn’t the sole cause for the team’s misfortune.
“Just made a mistake, I mean, there are a billion mistakes made in that game, so they’re just one of those,” DeMarco said after his first career loss. “And I’m sure she wished she had it back, but we still saw a chance to get a stop and force overtime.”
For what it’s worth, Astier boxed out Carla Leite and prevented her from rebounding Bridget Carleton’s missed 3 late. But Barker swooped in and scored.
But DeMarco makes a valid point. The Liberty’s fate shouldn’t have come down to the last two possession. It was a winnable game that the team fumbled.
The Liberty led by seven at halftime. The Fire came out hot to start the second half, going on a 10-2 run to take a point lead.
Sarah Ashlee Barker scores the game winning basket during the Liberty’s 98-96 win over the Portland Fire on May 12, 2026 at Moda Center in Portland, Ore. NBAE via Getty Images
New York managed to pull ahead by seven to end the third, but Portland didn’t go away. The game was tied four times over the final 4 minutes and 47 seconds.
The Liberty’s led with under 30 seconds left before Carla Leite scored the equalizer.
After a cool-down period, Astier appeared to be in good spirits.
The Portland Fire celebrates after their buzzer-beating win over the Liberty on May 12, 2026 at Moda Center in Portland, Ore. NBAE via Getty Images
“Still learning,” she told The Post. “It’s my first year, so next game, I will not do this mistake for sure. So yeah, it’s the first time and it will never happen again.”
Marine Johannès and Astier’s impact to start this season has been much needed with the team down Sabrina Ionescu (left foot injury) and Satou Sabally (cyst).
Johannès is also enjoying the best start to a season in her career as she scored 18 points and sank at least 3 treys for the third consecutive game.
The Liberty’s three other starters finished in double figure scoring, too.
But it wasn’t enough.
Astier said the coaching staff and her teammates told her to “keep your head up.”
Breanna Stewart handles the ball during the Liberty’s loss to the Fire. NBAE via Getty Images
“We’re going to win this next one,” Astier said. “So yeah, we stay positive and everybody was around me and everybody was like, ‘OK, it’s just one game.’”
The Liberty will cap off a stretch of four games in seven days Thursday when they meet the Fire again on Thursday.
