Sparks' Nneka Ogwumike Breaks Down After Game-Winning Shot - Here's Why

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.

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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This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 7:37 PM.