Liberty, Sparks meet again 30 years after WNBA's first game

The league's founding matchup renews tonight.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jun 211 min read

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New York LibertyWNBA

June 21, 1997. The first game in @WNBA history. The Liberty & @LASparks tipped off a new era for women’s basketball

What happened: On June 21, 1997, the New York Liberty and Los Angeles Sparks tipped off the first game in WNBA history. Three decades later, the same two franchises are set to meet again in New York, with tip scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Why it matters: The matchup carries the weight of the WNBA's 1997 debut, the moment the league launched its first season. Reuniting the two original participants on the anniversary frames how far the league has come across 30 seasons.

By the numbers: New York enters at 12-6 this season, scoring 88.2 per game and allowing 83.2. Los Angeles sits at 9-8, scoring 87.6 and allowing 88.4.

What to watch: Tip is set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, with the two original franchises facing off on the anniversary of the league's first game.

Sources

@nyliberty Jun 21, 10:54 AM ET

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Liberty, Sparks meet again 30 years after WNBA's first game

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