Sparks Beat Liberty in WNBA 30th Anniversary Celebration

Nneka Ogwumike hit a buzzer-beating three pointer to narrowly defeat the New York Liberty 98-87

On Sunday, the Los Angeles Sparks took on the New York Liberty in a symbolic rematch of the WNBA’s first-ever game on June 21, 1997, at the Great Western Forum (now Kia Forum) in Inglewood, California, in which the Liberty defeated the Sparks 67-57. 

30 years later, the Sparks continue to make history, once again hosting the Liberty, this time at their home, Crypto.com Arena, and earning the victory. 

The night was a star-studded celebration of the legacy of the Sparks and women’s basketball, complete with a slew of iconic alumni. Among those in the audience were Lisa Leslie, Sparks legend and one of the first players to sign with the WNBA. Leslie and other historic players were honored during a special halftime ceremony.

What made this game different from their first meeting was not only the result, but also just how far the league has come in its three-decade history. 

When the league first began, many were unsure what its future would look like. The first game at the Forum boasted an impressive 14,284 fans, a number that has only increased in recent years. On Sunday, Crypto.com welcomed 18,043 fans. 

Across the league, almost all teams reach 100% occupancy, with paid attendance hitting a record 3.15 million in the 2025 season. 

The Sparks remain a crucial part of the league, developing talents like Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker in its earlier seasons, and now stars like Nneka Ogwumike, who represent the team with their versatility on the court and commitment to innovation and expansion off the court. 

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One of the Sparks’ most legendary players and president of the WNBA’s Players Association, Nneka Ogwumike, has played a total of 13 seasons with the team, seeing it through phases of success and struggle, including a WNBA Championship title in 2016. 

On Sunday, Ogwumike made history with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer that lifted the Sparks over the New York Liberty in a stunning comeback, a testament to her unwavering commitment to Los Angeles and the team she has helped to build. 

The game was tough from the beginning, with the Sparks trailing by double digits in the first quarter. 

Going into the second half, the Sparks trailed by 17, but came into the third quarter with renewed momentum. Led by veteran Kelsey Plum and the infectious energy of the crowd, the Sparks became unstoppable. A crucial 12-1 stretch in the fourth quarter gave them a fighting chance, as they finally took the lead. 

The final few minutes were tense, with the score bouncing back and forth in what promised to be a race to the finish. With just 10.3 seconds left and the Liberty with a one-point lead and the ball, the situation was bleak. 

That is, until Erica Wheeler gained possession and found Ogwumike with eight seconds left. In a stunning finish, Ogwumike drained the three-pointer, to which the crowd responded with deafening celebrations.