The WNBA has always been about honoring its history. The league has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few years, and those who laid the ground and paved the way are a huge part of it.
On this day 29 years ago, the Los Angeles Sparks and the New York Liberty faced off in the first-ever game in the WNBA, with Lisa Leslie and Kym Hampton squaring off for the first-ever tipoff.
On Sunday, Leslie and Hampton recreated the memorable moment at Crypto.com before the game between the Sparks and the Liberty, much to the delight of the fans and the current players.
Thirty years later
Lisa Leslie and Kym Hampton run it back with a recreation of the ceremonial tip from the WNBA’s inaugural game.
NYL-LAS | ESPN | Court Origins pic.twitter.com/TGfECCVsHd
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 22, 2026
Los Angeles and New York battled on June 21, 1997 at the Great Western Forum in California to open the WNBA, with Penny Toler making the first-ever basket.
The Liberty defeated the Sparks, 67-57. Hampton had 13 points, seven rebounds, and three steals. Rebecca Lobo led the team with 16 points, six rebounds, three assists, and three blocks.
Leslie, meanwhile, had 16 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. Penny Toler, who scored the first-ever basket, added 15 points and four assists.
Nearly three decades later, Leslie and Hampton were treated to arguably the best game of the season so far, with the Sparks escaping the Liberty, 98-97, via a game-winning three-pointer from Nneka Ogwumike.
Los Angeles completed a come-from-behind victory after trailing by as much as 17 points.
Ogwumike, who recently passed Leslie for most field goals made in team history, tallied 24 points, six rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Rae Burrell added 19 points, three rebounds, and four assists off the bench.
The Sparks improved to 8-8, while the Liberty fell to 11-6.
The post Lisa Leslie, Kym Hampton recreate first-ever WNBA tipoff 29 years later appeared first on ClutchPoints.
