Los Angeles Sparks defeat New York Liberty in 30th anniversary game
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 22, 2026, 10:16 AM
Last updated Jun 22, 2026
The Los Angeles Sparks celebrated the WNBA's 30th anniversary by defeating the New York Liberty 98-97 on a buzzer-beater by Nneka Ogwumike. The game marked a significant moment, echoing the league's inaugural match in 1997, which Leslie participated in. This victory represents a positive turn for the Sparks, who have struggled since their last championship in 2016. The team's performance in this milestone game may boost their chances as they aim for better results in the ongoing season.
- •Sparks celebrate WNBA's 30th anniversary with historic win.
- •Nneka Ogwumike's buzzer-beater clinches victory.
- •Game mirrors the first match in WNBA history from 1997.
- •Los Angeles has struggled since their last title in 2016.
- •Sparks aim to leverage this moment for future successes.
- 3:01 PMYahoo Sports — WNBA anniversary game celebrates league’s survival … and a bright future
- 10:16 AMYahoo Sports — WNBA power rankings: Will the Los Angeles Sparks harness momentum after historic game?
"LOS ANGELES — As the Los Angeles Sparks and New York Liberty met Sunday night to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the WNBA’s first game, Nneka Ogwumike found herself tasked with explaining the meaning behind the moment. Who else would it be? The Sparks forward is, after all, “Madame President,” the leader of the players’ union and one of the most veteran players in the league. But her best answer was what she did when the Sparks trailed by two with a second left, when she caught the ball on t
"When Lisa Leslie thought back to the first game in WNBA history, it reminded her a lot of Sunday’s 30th season celebration. On June 21, 1997, she and her former Los Angeles Sparks teammates had brunch, signed autographs and posed for a photoshoot. On Sunday evening, Leslie even took a ceremonial tip-off against the New York Liberty just as she did in that first game. The one thing she wished she could have changed wasn’t the 16 points or the dunk she got hung on because the enormity of the day h
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 22, 2026, 3:01 PMWNBA anniversary game celebrates league’s survival … and a bright future
LOS ANGELES — As the Los Angeles Sparks and New York Liberty met Sunday night to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the WNBA’s first game, Nneka Ogwumike found herself tasked with explaining the meaning behind the moment. Who else would it be? The Sparks forward is, after all, “Madame President,” the leader of the players’ union and one of the most veteran players in the league. But her best answer was what she did when the Sparks trailed by two with a second left, when she caught the ball on t
- Yahoo SportsJun 22, 2026, 10:16 AMWNBA power rankings: Will the Los Angeles Sparks harness momentum after historic game?
When Lisa Leslie thought back to the first game in WNBA history, it reminded her a lot of Sunday’s 30th season celebration. On June 21, 1997, she and her former Los Angeles Sparks teammates had brunch, signed autographs and posed for a photoshoot. On Sunday evening, Leslie even took a ceremonial tip-off against the New York Liberty just as she did in that first game. The one thing she wished she could have changed wasn’t the 16 points or the dunk she got hung on because the enormity of the day h
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