What happened: The New York Liberty's starting lineup is set as the visitors for their Court Origins matchup against the Los Angeles Sparks, carried on ESPN. The two franchises are facing off in the early going, with the game now underway.

Why it matters: The meeting carries added weight as a Court Origins showcase between the same two franchises that opened WNBA play, and both sides arrive with playoff positioning on the line. New York comes in among the East's stronger clubs, while Los Angeles is fighting to stay above .500 in a tight Western race. The result will nudge the standings as the season's middle stretch unfolds, building on the franchises' shared history when they met on the anniversary of the league's inaugural game.

What to watch: Watch how the Liberty's opening unit sets the tone against the Sparks and whether New York can build separation as the game develops.