2002_WNBA_Finals

2002 WNBA Finals

2002 WNBA Finals

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The 2002 WNBA Finals was the championship series of the 2002 WNBA season, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The Los Angeles Sparks, top-seeded champions of the Western Conference, defeated the New York Liberty, top-seeded champions of the Eastern Conference, two games to none in a best-of-three series. This was Los Angeles' second title.

Quick Facts Team, Coach ...

As of 2020, this is the last time a WNBA franchise has won back to back championships. Coincidentally 2 months before the finals, the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA would win their 14th title by sweeping a New York Metro team, the New Jersey Nets 4–0.

The Liberty made their fourth appearance in the Finals in franchise history. The Sparks made their second straight Finals appearance.

The Sparks went into the series as defending champions. 2002 marked their second WNBA championship. (The Houston Comets hold the record with four championships won.)

The Sparks had a 25–7 record (.781), good enough to receive home-court advantage over the Liberty (18–14).

Road to the finals

More information Los Angeles Sparks, New York Liberty ...

Regular season series

The teams had split the regular season series:

May 25
New York Liberty 64, Los Angeles Sparks 72
STAPLES Center, Los Angeles
July 18
Los Angeles Sparks 59, New York Liberty 72

Game summaries

All times listed below are Eastern Daylight Time.

Game 1

August 29
7:30pm
"Game 1". Archived from the original on November 26, 2002. Retrieved September 14, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
Los Angeles Sparks 71, New York Liberty 63
Scoring by half: 35–35, 36–28
Pts: Mabika 20
Rebs: Byears 11		 Pts: Hammon 18
Rebs: Weatherspoon 7
L.A Sparks leads series, 1–0

Game 2

August 31
3:30pm
"Game 2". Archived from the original on November 26, 2002. Retrieved September 14, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
New York Liberty 66, Los Angeles Sparks 69
Scoring by half: 24–31, 42–38
Pts: Johnson, Whitmore 17
Rebs: Phillips 8		 Pts: Leslie 17
Rebs: Byears 11
L.A Sparks wins WNBA Finals, 2–0
STAPLES Center, Los Angeles

Nikki Teasley hit a series-winning three pointer with 2.1 seconds left. Teresa Weatherspoon tried to repeat history by trying to make a halfcourt heave at the buzzer, but the shot was blocked, and the Sparks won their second consecutive title.

Awards

Rosters

More information Players, Coaches ...
More information Players, Coaches ...
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