A Dramatic Finish to a Milestone Night
The Los Angeles Sparks marked the 30th anniversary of the WNBA with an unforgettable performance, clinching a 98-97 victory over the New York Liberty. The game was decided at the very last moment when veteran forward Nneka Ogwumike sunk a decisive 3-pointer as the buzzer sounded, completing a resilient double-digit comeback.
With only eight seconds remaining and trailing by two, the Sparks executed a final play led by Erica Wheeler. Racing down the court, Wheeler penetrated the paint before kicking the ball out to an open Ogwumike beyond the arc, who successfully converted the shot just before the clock hit zero. The arena erupted as players stormed the court to celebrate the hard-fought win.
Overcoming a Double-Digit Deficit
For the majority of the matchup, the Liberty appeared to be in control. After a strong first quarter, New York managed to extend their lead to as much as 17 points during the third period. However, the Sparks surged in the final quarter, steadily chipping away at the deficit.
The closing minutes saw a back-and-forth scoring battle. Ogwumike proved instrumental in the rally, contributing eight of her game-high 24 points in the final two minutes. The momentum shifted slightly when Liberty star Breanna Stewart missed a critical free throw, creating an opening for the Sparks to either tie or take the lead in the final seconds.
Honoring WNBA History
The event coincided with the league’s "Court Origins" initiative, celebrating the history of foundational franchises like the Sparks and the Liberty. The game drew legendary figures to the arena, including former Sparks icon Lisa Leslie and original Liberty player Kym Hampton.
Reflecting on the emotional atmosphere and the history of the league, Ogwumike shared her thoughts during the post-game broadcast:
«I've been with the Sparks for so long. It's emotional seeing all these legends in the building. People that didn't get paid their value and they're still coming here and supporting us. I'm so grateful.»
Teammate Erica Wheeler praised Ogwumike's composure under pressure: «It's Nneka, man. She's going to be [in the] Hall of Fame. She's presidential. I knew it was going in, man.»
With this victory, the Sparks bring their season record to 8-8. In addition to Ogwumike’s dominant 24-point performance, Rae Burrell provided a significant spark off the bench, adding 19 points to the total.