Portland’s Barker burns Liberty at the buzzer

Sarah Ashlee Barker’s putback attempt dangled on the edge of the rim before falling through the basket as time expired Tuesday night in Portland.

With it went the New York Liberty’s unbeaten start, setting off a wild celebration among the 12,386 fans at Moda Center as the expansion Fire posted the first win in franchise history, a 98-96 decision, that resulted in a massive pile of Portland players atop Barker.

“We’ll be all right. It’s the beginning of the season. New rosters for a lot of these teams,” lamented first-year Liberty coach Chris DeMarco.

Coming off Sunday’s nerve-tingling overtime victory in Washington, the Liberty (2-1) were poised to win their third straight, entering the fourth quarter with a seven-point cushion.

But the Fire (1-1), buoyed by a raucous crowd and 26 points from veteran forward Bridget Carleton, refused to go easy.

Megan Gustafson forged an 89-89 deadlock on an eight-foot jumper with just under five minutes remaining before the teams went back-and-forth down the stretch.

Jonquel Jones’ free throws with 42.9 ticks left gave New York its last lead at 96-94. But Carla Leite forged yet another tie on a layup with 27.1 seconds to play.

Rookie guard Pauline Astier committed a three-second violation on the Liberty’s ensuing trip, forcing DeMarco to call a timeout with 13.8 seconds to go.

“She just made a mistake,” said DeMarco. “There were a billion mistakes made in that game. I’m sure she wishes she had it back.”

Carleton was in position to settle matters with a 25-footer, but the ball clanged off and fell in the hands of Barker, who put it back up and watched with the rest of the building as the ball found its way through the twine.

New York, which led by as many as 13 points in the first half, got a career-best 24 points from Astier, who went 10-of-14 from the field, including a pair of 3-pointers.

The non-drafted free agent French guard also committed five of the Liberty’s 18 turnovers, resulting in 25 points for the Fire.

Countrywoman and backcourt mate Marine Johannes had her third straight strong performance, scoring 18 points to give her 60 through three games.

Jones finished with 17 points, Breanna Stewart had 16 points and 10 boards and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton added 10 points for New York, which will remain in Portland for Thursday night’s rematch.

“When we have the lead, knowing that the other team is going to come out and punch first. That’s on me,” said Stewart. “I’ll get the rest of the group ready to go.”

Still without injured All-Star guard Sabrina Ionescu and waiting for new addition Satou Sabally to make her Liberty debut, the team Las Vegas oddsmakers predicted to win it all this year couldn’t have imagined that loss No. 1 would come against expansion Portland.

And in such crushing fashion.

Leite scored 21 points and Kamiah Smalls and Luisa Geiselsoder added 13 apiece for the Fire, who outscored the Liberty 28-19 over the final 10 minutes.

“We just need to keep our composure going forward,” insisted Stewart.

Tip-off at Moda Center on Thursday is slated for 10 p.m. ET.

The game will air nationally on Prime Video and locally on My9.

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In other local pro basketball news, Jason Collins, a former New Jersey and Brooklyn Net as well as the NBA’s first openly gay player, died Tuesday at the age of 47 after battling brain cancer.

Collins, who played for the Nets in the Garden State from 2001-08, also spent time with Memphis, Atlanta, Boston and Washington before coming out as a member of the Brooklyn Nets in 2013-14.

The hulking center from Stanford reportedly died in his home in Los Angeles, surrounded by family.

“When I chose to come out, there was no scandal or anything,” Collins told ESPN last year. “This was like, I feel that I am good enough to play in the NBA and by the way, I’m gay. Just so everyone knows cards on the table, this is where I am.

“Thankfully the Nets were the one team that gave me a tryout.”

Collins played 22 games for the Nets in his final season, averaging just under eight minutes per contest off the bench. But it was his impact in and around the organization that left the most lasting impression.

The Nets indicated that Collins helped  “define an era of our franchise,” via a team-issued statement. 

“He was a constant in our locker room — selfless, tough, and deeply respected by teammates, coaches, and staff alike.

“Those who were around Jason every day knew him not just as a competitor, but as a genuinely kind, thoughtful person who brought people together. His impact extended far beyond the court, and his courage and authenticity helped move the game — and the world — forward.”

GIVE ME LIBERTY: Stewart became the first player in league history to reach 6,000 points and 2,500 rebounds in less than 300 career games, making both marks in game No. 295. Though she prefers winning to milestones, the three-time WNBA champion and two-time league MVP did weigh on the achievement following Tuesday’s defeat. “To be the first is obviously always an honor,” Stewart said. “I’m just trying to be my best and consistently get double-doubles every night.” … Astier’s 24 points were the most recorded by any WNBA rookie thus far this year. … Jones and Laney-Hamilton both hit milestones coming in at exactly 1,500. Jones registered her 1,500th made field goal while Laney-Hamilton scored her 1,500th point as a member of the Liberty. … After finishing off its two-game set in Portland on Thursday, New York will return to Barclays Center on May 21 to host Golden State.