DeLisha Milton-Jones had her jersey raised to the rafters at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night, an emotional milestone for the former Sparks forward, but the celebration could not lift Los Angeles to victory. The Sparks lost 113-109 to the New York Liberty, extending their losing streak to six games.
Close finish after inspired comeback
Down 11 with 3:30 remaining, the Sparks rallied late behind a balanced scoring attack that produced six players in double figures. Nneka Ogwumike’s three-pointer with 15 seconds left pulled Los Angeles within 112-109, but Breanna Stewart made two free throws with 13.9 seconds remaining to secure the win for New York.
- Final score: Liberty 113, Sparks 109
- Sparks record: 10-17, six straight losses
- Liberty record: 16-12
Rae Burrell led the Sparks with 24 points. Ogwumike added 21 points and nine assists, while Erica Wheeler finished with 17 points and nine assists. Ariel Atkins had 16 points, Dearica Hamby 12 and Cameron Brink 11. The balanced production underlined the depth of the Sparks’ roster despite the absence of leading scorer Kelsey Plum, who has been sidelined with a lower-leg injury since the teams met on June 25.
“Moments like this are well worth the wait,” Milton-Jones said during the jersey retirement ceremony, reflecting on her time with the organisation.
Milton-Jones honoured at halftime
The Sparks retired No. 8 in honour of Milton-Jones, who spent 11 seasons with the franchise across two stints (1999-2004 and 2008-12). She became the fourth player in the team’s 30-year history to receive the distinction, joining Penny Toler (No. 11), Lisa Leslie (No. 9) and Candace Parker (No. 3).
The halftime ceremony included family and friends on the floor as Milton-Jones posed for photos and accepted tributes. The moment recognised her contributions to the Sparks and to women’s basketball over more than a decade in the organisation.
Liberty stars power the win
New York was paced by Breanna Stewart’s 29 points and Sabrina Ionescu’s 27. The Liberty were shorthanded at times, playing without Leonie Fiebich (left foot soreness), Satou Sabally (concussion protocol) and Marine Johannes (left ankle), yet still managed a convincing offensive display.
| Player | Points | Notable |
|---|---|---|
| Rae Burrell (Sparks) | 24 | Team-high |
| Nneka Ogwumike (Sparks) | 21 | 9 assists |
| Breanna Stewart (Liberty) | 29 | Game-high |
| Sabrina Ionescu (Liberty) | 27 | Key secondary scorer |
The loss left the Sparks scrambling in the WNBA’s Western Conference standings; a win might have moved them a half-game ahead of Portland for fifth place. Instead, their losing streak continued, a challenge the organisation must address as the regular season progresses.
Implications for the Sparks and fans
With Kelsey Plum sidelined, the team’s balanced scoring has been a positive sign, but late-game defence and execution under pressure proved decisive against New York. The Sparks’ supporters — including those who follow the WNBA from outside California — will be watching how the coaching staff adjusts rotations and strategy to halt the slide.
For fans, the evening was bittersweet: the emotion of Milton-Jones’ jersey retirement stood in contrast to the team’s continued struggles on the court. The ceremony added to the franchise’s history while underscoring the ongoing competitive demands of professional basketball.
As the season continues, both the Sparks and their supporters will be hoping the team can convert balanced scoring into consistent wins and give the celebrated alumni moments like Tuesday’s ceremony a happier on-court ending.
