Nneka Ogwumike’s Buzzer-Beater Lifts Sparks Past Liberty in WNBA 30th Anniversary Thriller
Jun 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike (30) shoots a jump shot in the second quarter against the New York Liberty at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: William Navarro-Imagn Images
Thirty years to the day after the WNBA‘s very first game, the Los Angeles Sparks and New York Liberty delivered a fitting tribute to the league’s legacy. On June 21, 2026, in a rematch of that inaugural 1997 contest, the Sparks erased a 17-point deficit to stun the Liberty 98-97, with Nneka Ogwumike burying a 3-pointer with less than a second on the clock.
A comeback built on depth and resilience
Nothing suggested a Sparks victory was coming at halftime. Down 12 at the break and 17 early in the third quarter, Los Angeles looked overwhelmed. But the team refused to fold, and the second half told an entirely different story.
Six Sparks players finished in double figures. Rae Burrell, celebrating her 26th birthday, came off the bench to score 19 points. Erica Wheeler added 15, Kelsey Plum contributed 12 points and 7 assists in her return from a leg injury, while Dearica Hamby and Ariel Atkins each chipped in 10. The collective effort set the stage for Ogwumike’s heroics.
NNEKA WINS THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY GAME AT THE BUZZER FOR THE SPARKS ⚡😱 pic.twitter.com/3NMxj79RKO
— ESPN (@espn) June 22, 2026
The 10-time WNBA All-Star finished with 24 points on 11-of-18 shooting, including 12 in the fourth quarter alone. When the moment arrived, she did not hesitate. « It feels great obviously, » she said after the buzzer. « I’m really immersed in my teammates mostly. Obviously, there’s a sense of relief to know that shot went in. It’s a contagious feeling to want to continue to be great. »
Head coach Lynne Roberts had no shortage of praise for her captain: « What a great moment and the perfect person hit that. »
Plum’s return changes everything
Roberts also highlighted what Plum’s comeback means for this team. « I think it’s good… we got [Kelsey Plum]. And obviously, as you guys know, she’s the head of the snake. So that gives us, the whole group, a little more confidence. » The numbers back it up: the Sparks are now 7-0 when Plum records 7 or more assists, improving their overall record to 8-8.
For the Liberty, the loss stings. Despite balanced scoring — Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones each posted 18 points, Pauline Astier added 17, Satou Sabally 14, and Leonie Fiebich 13 — New York could not hold on. Sabrina Ionescu was held to just 2 points on 1-of-3 shooting. The Liberty fall to 11-6 and have now dropped two straight.
The night also honored the league’s past, with WNBA legends Lisa Leslie and DeLisha Milton-Jones recognized at halftime. But it was the present that stole the show — a reminder that 30 years in, the WNBA still knows how to deliver.
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