Sparks news: LA players pay tribute to Nneka Ogwumike before final game appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Every great career eventually reaches its final game, and for Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike, that moment has arrived. On Thursday, she suited up against the Golden State Valkyries to close out her legendary journey in the WNBA.
Ogwumike is ready to walk away after a 15-year career marked by excellence, consistency, and leadership. The 36-year-old star has made a lasting impact, especially on young players who grew up watching her.
Some of them are her teammates on the Sparks.
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As a tribute to the former MVP, they arrived at Crypto.com Arena for their season-ending assignment against the Valkyries wearing Ogwumike’s jersey, as shared by Underdog WNBA.
Sparks players pulled up in Nneka Ogwumike jerseys for her final career game.pic.twitter.com/3tqR8O4oER
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) September 25, 2026
Fans loved the idea.
“Whole team in her jersey. Okay, that got me,” said @WenchangYue.
“Showing up in her jersey for the finale is a better sendoff than any speech,” added @SayarathT.
“Paying homage to the queen,” wrote @HymnofMidnight.
“These fits are tea,” commented @Ku_Lo_Snooze.
“Win this for Nneka!” pleaded @PettyLupone.
“A special tribute for a special player,” posted @essentially_w.
Ogwumike returned to the Sparks in the offseason after a two-year stint with the Seattle Storm. Los Angeles drafted her with the No. 1 pick in 2012. She led the team to the championship in 2016, including her iconic game-winner in Game 5 against the Minnesota Lynx.
She is an eight-time All-WNBA, seven-time All-Defense, 11-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year, and a four-time recipient of the Sportsmanship Award.
Off the court, she has been instrumental in fighting for the rights of the players as the president of the WNBA Players Association, including better pay and more equity.
As of this writing, the Sparks are leading the Valkyries at halftime, 35-26. Ogwumike has 12 points, eight rebounds, and two assists in 16 minutes.
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