It seems like a Father's Day surprise is the exact boost Los Angeles Sparks star Nneka Ogwumike needed to propel them to a comeback against the mighty New York Liberty.

Before the game, Nneka joined the WNBA Countdown show, where her sister, Chiney Ogwumike, was also present. Chiney told her that their father, Peter Ogwumike, is currently flying back to Houston from Nigeria and sent Nneka a message from the flight.

"From 38,000 feet above the Atlantic. I want to say we're very proud of you. I'm totally proud of how you represent our family," Peter said. "Leave it to Chiney to make my dad give me a gift on Father's Day," Nneka replied after watching the video.

Hearing her father before the game was definitely a good luck charm for Nneka, as she was the catalyst for the Sparks taking the win against the Liberty on Sunday night on the anniversary of the league's first game that featured the same two teams.

Nneka hit a game-winning buzzer-beater three-pointer for the Sparks to take a 98-97 lead and subsequent victory over the Liberty.

The Sparks, who lost to the Liberty in the inaugural game in 1997, actually trailed by 17 points in the third quarter and were heading for a similar result.

But thanks to Ogwumike's season-tying 24 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals, the Sparks were able to pull off a comeback in the fourth quarter.

The historic game, capped off by a historic buzzer beater, as Nneka could not hold back her tears following the win.

Nneka Ogwumike Got Quite Emotional After the Game

Nneka broke down after the ESPN broadcast asked her what it meant to celebrate the WNBA’s evolution on her home court.

“It feels really good,” Ogwumike said as she choked up. “It’s emotional seeing all of these legends in the building. People who didn’t get paid their value and they’re still coming here and supporting us. I’m so grateful.”

“What a great moment, and the perfect person to hit that,” Los Angeles coach Lynne Roberts said.

The people in question are none other than WNBA legends like Lisa Leslie and Kym Hampton, who lined up at center court for the pregame tip-off, just as they did for the WNBA’s debut game on this date in 1997

In addition, Sparks legends DeLisha Milton-Jones and Tamecka Dixon were at practice on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Liberty welcomed original roster members Sue Wicks, Hampton, Teresa Weatherspoon, and Vickie Johnson at their walk-through, too.

The Crypto.com Arena was surrounded by history wherever you looked.

But part of why Nneka was so emotional is that the same legends who showed up to support her and the WNBA were frequently unappreciated due to a lack of historical media coverage, unequal pay structures, and late-blooming visibility of the league.

While the WNBA's 30th Anniversary game was meant to be a celebration of all the years it took to reach such a successful period, it also showed a glimpse of where the league stood for the majority of those years.

So, who do you feel was the most underappreciated WNBA player in their time? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Joy Bassy