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It had to be Nneka Ogwumike.
The Los Angeles Sparks and New York Liberty met at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on June 21, 2026 — 29 years to the day from the WNBA’s first-ever game between the Liberty and Sparks on June 21, 1997.
This is the WNBA’s commemorative 30th season, which was only allowed to move forward because Ogwumike, as the WNBPA President, and the players negotiated a historic new collective bargaining agreement.
The Sparks drafted Ogwumike with the No. 1 overall pick in 2012, and she helped bring the WNBA title home to Los Angeles — the first championship since Lisa Leslie’s Sparks in 2001 and 2002 — as the 2016 WNBA MVP. After two seasons in Seattle, the franchise legend is back in the purple and gold.
So when the Sparks fell down by 17 points to the Liberty in the third quarter and needed a hero, it just had to be her. And it was.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 21: Nneka Ogwumike #30 of the Los Angeles Sparks celebrates after the game against the New York Liberty at Crypto.com Arena on June 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Melina Pizano/Getty Images)
Ogwumike buried a buzzer-beating 3 in front of Leslie and other WNBA icons to complete the comeback and secure a 98-87 win.
“It’s emotional seeing all these legends in the building,” a tearful Ogwumike said postgame. “People that didn’t get paid their value, and they’re still coming here and supporting us. I’m so grateful.”
Ogwumike finished with a game-high and season-high 24 points, six rebounds, three assists, and three steals in the thrilling victory.
For the record, the new CBA included a $14 million pool designated to be paid out to retired WNBA veterans who meet various requirements, as reported here.
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The Los Angeles Sparks and New York Liberty met at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on June 21, 2026 — 29 years to the day from the WNBA’s first-ever game between the Liberty and Sparks on June 21, 1997.
This is the WNBA’s commemorative 30th season, which was only allowed to move forward because Ogwumike, as the WNBPA President, and the players negotiated a historic new collective bargaining agreement.
The Sparks drafted Ogwumike with the No. 1 overall pick in 2012, and she helped bring the WNBA title home to Los Angeles — the first championship since Lisa Leslie’s Sparks in 2001 and 2002 — as the 2016 WNBA MVP. After two seasons in Seattle, the franchise legend is back in the purple and gold.
So when the Sparks fell down by 17 points to the Liberty in the third quarter and needed a hero, it just had to be her. And it was.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 21: Nneka Ogwumike #30 of the Los Angeles Sparks celebrates after the game against the New York Liberty at Crypto.com Arena on June 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Melina Pizano/Getty Images)
Ogwumike buried a buzzer-beating 3 in front of Leslie and other WNBA icons to complete the comeback and secure a 98-87 win.
NNEKA WINS THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY GAME AT THE BUZZER FOR THE SPARKSpic.twitter.com/3NMxj79RKO
— ESPN (@espn) June 22, 2026
“It’s emotional seeing all these legends in the building,” a tearful Ogwumike said postgame. “People that didn’t get paid their value, and they’re still coming here and supporting us. I’m so grateful.”
I caught up with Nneka moments after hitting the buzzer beating 3!
full episode: https://t.co/BQLqo4EL9epic.twitter.com/f5AOxNS0Z4
— Chiney Ogwumike (@chiney) June 22, 2026
Ogwumike finished with a game-high and season-high 24 points, six rebounds, three assists, and three steals in the thrilling victory.
For the record, the new CBA included a $14 million pool designated to be paid out to retired WNBA veterans who meet various requirements, as reported here.
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