Marine Fauthoux played a key role in the New York Liberty’s 113-109 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday, providing a much-needed boost to the team’s backcourt late in the game. The developmental guard, who has been steadily gaining confidence, sank two critical free throws in the final 33 seconds to extend the Liberty’s lead to seven points, helping secure the win.

Fauthoux, who has seen increased playing time recently, has reached double-digit scoring in two of her past three games. Against the Sparks, she scored 10 of her career-high 13 points in the fourth quarter, demonstrating her growing impact on the team. After the game, she credited a brief interaction with Sparks guard Erica Wheeler for steadying her nerves and boosting her confidence at the free-throw line.

The French guard’s rise has coincided with a dip in production from fellow French rookie Pauline Astier, who has struggled since early July after a strong start to her first year playing year-round professional basketball. Astier has not scored 10 points in a game since July 12 and had expressed anticipation for the upcoming All-Star break to rest.

Fauthoux’s increasing importance to the Liberty’s backcourt rotation comes with roster limitations, as her status as a developmental player restricts her court availability to seven of twelve permitted games. To secure her services for the playoffs and beyond, the Liberty would need to convert her to a standard contract, which would require making space by waiving or trading another player.

Veteran Rebekah Gardner, who led the Liberty’s bench in scoring with a combined total of 41 points against the Sparks’ reserves, praised Fauthoux’s readiness and performance despite limited minutes and game rhythm typical for developmental players. Gardner highlighted Fauthoux’s overseas experience as a factor in her smooth transition to the WNBA environment.

The Liberty’s bench has been instrumental this season due to injuries affecting the roster, and Tuesday’s strong performance could have a positive impact on the team’s depth and overall confidence moving forward. Gardner emphasized the importance of bench players gaining experience, noting that their success helps ease the burden on starters as the season progresses.