Candace Parker, Lisa Leslie, Milton-Jones return, but Sparks lose
NEW YORK 69, SPARKS 68
With one-game suspensions over, three Sparks starters return in loss to New York as the Liberty's McCarville makes the go-ahead layup with 6.4 seconds left.
NEW YORK -- The Sparks got Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker and DeLisha Milton-Jones back from their one-game suspensions but still lost to the New York Liberty, 69-68, Friday at Madison Square Garden.
The Sparks came back from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter before Janel McCarville's layup with 6.4 seconds left lifted the Liberty (14-10).
Leslie, Parker and Milton-Jones -- the Sparks' three U.S. Olympians -- had been suspended for their involvement in Tuesday's altercation with the Detroit Shock. Shannon Bobbitt and Muriel Page still are serving their two-game suspensions. The Sparks (14-12) had a 68-67 lead with 11 seconds left when McCarville drove on Leslie and scored on a tough shot.
"I was frustrated that I turned the ball over on the two possessions leading up to the shot I hit," McCarville said.
The Sparks had one last chance, but Leslie's shot in the lane at the buzzer bounced out.
"It didn't come down to that last play," Milton-Jones said. "We can't have that many turnovers and expect to win."
The Sparks finished the game with 20 turnovers.
From the Associated Press
- Cruise Ship Settlement to Fund Girls Athletics Oct 27, 1999
- Pam McGee Expected to Retire From WNBA May 20, 1999
- Sparks Get a Break After 80-62 Loss Aug 09, 1998
