Nneka Ogwumike's Buzzer-Beater Lifts Sparks Over Liberty in Historic WNBA Anniversary Game

Nneka Ogwumike called game on a historic night in Los Angeles. The veteran forward sank a buzzer-beating three-pointer to lift the Los Angeles Sparks to a thrilling 98-97 victory over the New York Liberty on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. The cinematic finish capped off a 17-point comeback and served as the perfect crescendo for a game celebrating the 29th anniversary of the WNBA's inaugural matchup, which featured the exact same two franchises.[1][2]

The final sequence was a masterclass in transition execution under immense pressure. With just under nine seconds remaining, Liberty star Breanna Stewart—who entered the game shooting 87.5% from the free-throw line—stepped to the stripe with New York clinging to a 96-95 lead. Stewart made the first attempt but missed the second, leaving the door open for Los Angeles to steal the victory.[3][5]

Having exhausted their timeouts, the Sparks had to improvise on the fly. Guard Erica Wheeler pushed the ball rapidly up the floor, drawing the defense before kicking a pass out to Ogwumike on the wing. Without hesitation, Ogwumike released the ball just before the red light illuminated the backboard, finding nothing but net and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.[2][3]

Ogwumike's heroics were the culmination of a dominant individual performance and a resilient team effort. She finished with a game-high 24 points on 11-of-18 shooting, scoring 12 of those points in the final 3:50 of the fourth quarter. Her clutch shooting included a crucial three-pointer that tied the game at 93 with 1:27 left on the clock, setting the stage for the final dramatic possession.[2][3]

The victory required the Sparks to dig out of a massive hole. Los Angeles trailed by 17 points in the third quarter against a formidable Liberty squad that currently sits near the top of the Eastern Conference. The comeback was fueled by a balanced attack, with all five Sparks starters—including Dearica Hamby, Kelsey Plum, Wheeler, and Ariel Atkins—reaching double figures, alongside a 19-point spark off the bench from guard Rae Burrell.[2][3]

For the Liberty, the loss marked a frustrating end to a grueling stretch. Despite 18 points and 10 rebounds from Stewart, and another 18 points from Jonquel Jones, New York faltered down the stretch. The defeat was their second straight following an eight-game winning streak, highlighting uncharacteristic late-game execution issues and missed free throws that ultimately cost them the game.[3][5]

Beyond the standings, the game carried immense emotional and historical weight. On June 21, 1997, the Liberty and Sparks faced off at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California, officially launching the Women's National Basketball Association. That inaugural game, won by New York 67-57, was a nervous, low-scoring affair that featured 47-for-128 combined shooting as players carried the burden of proving the league's viability on national television.[4][6]

Sunday's 98-97 shootout stood in stark contrast to that 1997 debut, serving as a visceral demonstration of how far the women's game has evolved. The skill level, offensive efficiency, and sheer athleticism on display highlighted three decades of exponential growth. The WNBA has transformed from an eight-team experiment with a $50,000 maximum salary into a thriving cultural juggernaut with expanding rosters, soaring revenues, and a highly anticipated transformative collective bargaining agreement on the horizon.[4][6]

The presence of WNBA alumni and pioneers in the arena added a layer of poignancy to Ogwumike's game-winner. Ogwumike herself is a central figure in the league's modern history, having spent her first 12 seasons with the Sparks, winning an MVP and a championship in 2016, before returning to Los Angeles in 2026. As a former players' union president who fought for better compensation and conditions, her defining moment on the league's anniversary felt uniquely fitting.[1][2]

Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts praised her team's locker room culture and resilience following the win. Despite dealing with injuries, including the absence of rising star Cameron Brink, the Sparks leaned on their veteran leadership to navigate the deficit. The victory provided a much-needed surge of confidence for a Los Angeles franchise looking to re-establish its identity in the league's modern era.[2][3]