In a thrilling conclusion on Sunday, Nneka Ogwumike nailed a buzzer-beating three-pointer to secure a 98-97 victory for the LA Sparks over the New York Liberty, completing a remarkable 17-point comeback in front of the home fans.
The game saw the Liberty dominate much of the action after the opening quarter, building a substantial 17-point lead during the third period. However, the Sparks mounted a fierce rally in the final quarter, fueled by Ogwumike’s clutch shooting. She poured in eight of her team-high 24 points in the last two minutes, ultimately delivering the decisive basket as time expired.
With just eight seconds remaining and LA trailing by two, Erica Wheeler drove aggressively toward the basket before passing out to Ogwumike, who stood beyond the arc. The veteran WNBA star released a clean shot that found nothing but net, sealing the comeback win.
Key Moments and Milestones
Prior to Ogwumike’s game-winner, Liberty star Breanna Stewart missed one of two free throws, leaving a sliver of opportunity for the Sparks to capitalize on—a chance Ogwumike did not hesitate to take. Wheeler, reflecting on the moment after the game, praised Ogwumike’s clutch performance, calling her a future Hall of Famer and expressing confidence that the shot was destined to go in.
This showdown between the Sparks and Liberty was the highlight of the WNBA’s 30th anniversary festivities. The event also featured a “Court Origins” celebration honoring the league’s founding teams, with legends such as Lisa Leslie and Kym Hampton present to commemorate the occasion.
Alongside Ogwumike’s standout 24 points, bench contributor Rae Burrell added 19 points, helping maintain the Sparks’ perfect 8-0 start to the season. The thrilling victory not only demonstrated the resilience of the Sparks but also underscored Ogwumike’s leadership and clutch scoring ability in critical moments.