Sarah Ashlee Barker hit a buzzer-beater putback Tuesday night to lead the Portland Fire to a 98-96 victory over the New York Liberty [1].

The win marks the first victory in the history of the Portland Fire, an expansion franchise playing its inaugural season in the WNBA [3].

The game took place at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, on May 12, 2026 [2, 4]. The contest remained tight until the final seconds when Barker's shot secured the two-point lead [1, 3].

Bridget Carleton contributed to the offense, scoring a career-high 26 points [1]. Her performance included five three-pointers [1].

The victory provides a critical milestone for the expansion team as it establishes its presence in the league. The dramatic nature of the win, ending on the final buzzer, highlights the competitive parity the Fire are striving for against established teams like the Liberty [3, 5].

“The win marks the first victory in the history of the Portland Fire.”

The Portland Fire's first win is a pivotal psychological breakthrough for an expansion franchise. By defeating a seasoned opponent like the New York Liberty in a high-pressure finish, the team demonstrates it can compete at the WNBA level and build immediate momentum with its home crowd at the Moda Center.