Sparks vs. Mercury live score, updates, highlights from Brittney Griner’s WNBA return

By | May 19, 2023
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The WNBA has kicked off its 27th season and is wrapping up a four-game opening night schedule with Phoenix in Los Angeles.

Brittney Griner is returning to the paint for Phoenix for the first time since October 2021. She signed for another year with the Mercury after returning from her 10-month detainment in Russia and announcing a memoir in the works.

Diana Taurasi also extended her contract, and while the details weren’t exclusively released, Spotrac has her down on another 2-year deal through 2025 for a base salary of $234,936 in 2023, making her the highest-paid player in the league alongside Arike Ohunbowale and Jewell Loyd.

The Mercury waived one of their two 2023 draft picks, Destiny Harden, and several others, including rookie Sam Thomas. They did pick up rookie Evina Westbrook on waivers from the Washington Mystics.

The Sparks waived a draft pick of their own in Iowa talent Monika Czinano, but still have their other two: South Carolina star Zia Cooke, who dropped 12 against Phoenix in their preseason meeting on May 12, and Shaneice Swain out of Australia. They acquired WNBA champion Dearica Hamby from Las Vegas and 12-year veteran Jasmine Thomas from Connecticut in the offseason, and still have the Oguwmike sisters adding their talents at the four.

The Sparks hosted the Mercury in the preseason, winning 90-71. Will the tides turn the same tonight? Or will Phoenix start out stronger than before?

The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights for Los Angeles Sparks vs. Phoenix Mercury. Follow below for complete results from the WNBA’s 27th season opening night.

Los Angeles vs. Phoenix score

  1 2 3 4 F
Los Angeles Sparks          
Phoenix Mercury          

Los Angeles vs. Phoenix live updates, highlights from 2023 WNBA opening night

(All times Eastern)

11:38 p.m.: Phoenix with 20 before the Sparks hit 10. Lexie Brown and Jordin Canada are showing out for LA, quickly closing that gap, 20-17 with some slick shots. Mercury have already put in their 2023 draft pick, Kady Sissoko, and she’s got two points herself. Big night for a lot of people.

11:36 p.m.: Brittney Griner with a massive smile on her face. Her stat line when she takes a seat is impressive for four minutes: four points, three rebounds and an assist. She’s so back.

11:27 p.m.: Dawn Staley is also in attendance. This is a special night in California, and will be even more special when Brittney Griner plays at her home arena on Sunday, May 21. The pair shared a tight hug before the game.

11:23 p.m.: Brittney Griner drains one easily for the first time in 579 days. The muscle memory is evident and she looks like she’s feeling phenomenal.

11:21 p.m.: The game has been moved and is now live. The Phoenix Mercury has dropped their starting five: Moriah Jefferson, Michaela Onyenwere, Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner and Brianna Turner.

11:18 p.m.: Per Rebecca Lobo, because the NHL game is going into overtime, the game will be broadcast on ESPN2 at 11:20 p.m. ET.

11:15 p.m.: Brittney Griner received a standing ovation at Crypto.com Arena when she took the court. It also looks like Vice President Kamala Harris and Lakers’ head coach Darvin Ham are in attendance. Harris went to the Mercury locker room to personally welcome Griner back.

11:07 p.m.: Looks like the broadcast has been delayed due to a hockey game. Fans are not happy on Twitter.

10:55 p.m.: LA has released their opening night starting lineup: Jordin Canada, Lexie Brown, Layshia Clarendon, Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike.

10:34 p.m.: BetMGM has the Sparks as the -1.5 favorite tonight. Check out the full spread here.

10:33 p.m.: Looks like Holly Rowe is on the scene with Rebecca Lobo and Mark Jones for ESPN tonight.

10:24 p.m.: Can’t spell slay without LA. The Sparks’ tunnel outfits are giving tonight.

10:20 p.m.: ESPN’s Holly Rowe posted a video of legends Magic Johnson and Billie Jean King giving Brittney Griner a warm welcome home. This is her first WNBA game since 2021.

Back where she belongs!

10:18 p.m.: The Mercury posted a health update for the game. Sophie Cunningham (left knee), Megan Gustafson (left foot) and Shey Peddy (right achilles) are out tonight.

10:14 p.m.: The Mercury and Sparks both solidified their rosters Friday.

The Mercury has back Brittney Griner, and Diana Taurasi signed another two-year contract extension. Skylar Diggins-Smith is out indefinitely due to pregnancy, and Liz Dixon signed a rest-of-season hardship contract in her place. They waived several people, including Sam Thomas. This is who they’re taking into the season:

The Sparks picked up Nia Clouden from the Sun. They also signed Karlie Samuelson, after she was previously waived, to a rest-of-season hardship contract because her sister Katie Lou is out indefinitely due to pregnancy. They waived Monika Czinano and Yang Liwei, among others. This is who they’re taking into the season:

What channel is Sparks vs. Mercury on today?

  • TV channel: ESPN
  • Live stream: Sling TV, ESPN+

Los Angeles vs. Phoenix will be broadcast nationally on ESPN, which will air 25 regular season games this season. This game is also available for live streaming on ESPN+ or Sling TV.

Basketball fans can watch the WNBA all season long on the ESPN family of networks and NBATV with Sling TV.

Fans in the U.S. can watch the WNBA on Sling TV, which is now offering $10 off your first month! Stream the sports you love starting at just $30 in your first month with Sling Orange to catch all the games on ESPN & ABC. For games on NBA TV, subscribe to Sling Orange & Sports Extra for $27.50 in your first month. Local regional blackout restrictions apply.

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Sparks vs. Mercury start time

  • Date: Friday, May 19
  • Time: 11 p.m. ET | 8 p.m. PT

Los Angeles vs. Phoenix will begin at 11 p.m. ET on Friday, May 19. Timezone translations mean the game will tip at 8 p.m. locally (PT).

The WNBA opening weekend contest will be played at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif., which doubles as the home of their NBA brother teams, the Clippers and Lakers.

WNBA opening weekend schedule 2023

Friday, May 19

Matchup Time (ET) Platform
Connecticut Sun at Indiana Fever 7 p.m. League Pass
New York Liberty at Washington Mystics 7 p.m. NBA TV
Chicago Sky at Minnesota Lynx 8 p.m. League Pass
Phoenix Mercury at Los Angeles Sparks 11 p.m. ESPN

Saturday, May 20

Matchup Time (ET) Platform
Atlanta Dream at Dallas Wings 1 p.m. ABC
Las Vegas Aces at Seattle Storm 3 p.m. ABC

Sunday, May 21

Matchup Time (ET) Platform
Washington Mystics at Connecticut Sun 1 p.m. League Pass
Indiana Fever at New York Liberty 2 p.m. Twitter
Chicago Sky at Phoenix Mercury 4 p.m. ESPN

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