By: Jennifer Portee
6/22/2026
With everything on the line and no time left on the clock, Nneka Ogwumike rose from the wing and buried a walk-off three that lifted the Sparks to a 98-97 comeback win over the New York Liberty.
Los Angeles trailed by as many as 17 in the second half, searching for rhythm against a Liberty squad loaded with size, and skill. But behind a poised, relentless push, the Sparks turned pressure into production closing the game on their terms.
And at the center of it all? Nneka.
She finished with 24 points on efficient shooting, but her impact ran deeper than the box score. From timely steals to second chance hustle, Ogwumike controlled the tempo late, scoring nine straight points in crunch time before delivering the final dagger her fourth career game-winner in the final seconds of regulation.
The comeback was collective, though.
Six Sparks hit double figures. Rae Burrell continued her scoring surge with 19 points in under 26 minutes, attacking with confidence and cashing in at the line. Erica Wheeler orchestrated the offense with 15 points and the assist that sealed the night, while Dearica Hamby added muscle inside with 12 points and a team-high eight boards.
Ball movement told the story just as loudly Los Angeles racked up a season-high 28 assists, turning good possessions into great ones. In the paint, they imposed their will, outscoring New York 60-42 in a physical, downhill effort.
Still, it didn’t come easy.
New York controlled stretches early, closing the first quarter on a run and forcing the Sparks to play from behind. Even late, the Liberty had chances to put the game away at the free-throw line, but missed opportunities kept the Sparks in the game.
From an 8-0 run to close the third, to a fourth quarter where they shot nearly 58% from the field, Los Angeles executed with urgency. They tied it midway through the fourth, grabbed their first lead since the opening minutes shortly after, and never lost belief even when the clock became the enemy.
Because belief lives in moments like this.
On a night that celebrated the league’s past, Ogwumike one of its most respected voices and leaders added another chapter to its present. A game-winning shot. A signature comeback. A performance that matched the magnitude of the moment.
For the Sparks, it wasn’t just about beating the Liberty.
It was about reminding everyone who they are when the game gets tight, the lights get bright, and the stakes feel bigger than the scoreboard.
And now, they carry that energy on the road next stop, Toronto.