Yardbarker
x
WNBA Legend Lisa Leslie Makes Appearance at Sky-Sparks Game on Tuesday
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports via Imagn Images.

The Chicago Sky (3-10) played host to the Los Angeles Sparks (4-10) on Tuesday in a game that saw both franchises desperate for a win.

Coming into the contest, the Sparks were seeking to snap a three-game skid after losing 82-66 on the road against the Minnesota Lynx, while the Sky (also on a three-game losing streak) were desperate to climb out of the league cellar following a 93-80 defeat to the Atlanta Dream.

Part of what made Tuesday’s game particularly memorable, however, was the presence of WNBA legend Lisa Leslie, who was spotted courtside in Chicago. 

Leslie, a three-time league MVP and two-time WNBA champion with the Sparks, is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in women’s basketball history. 

Leslie is remembered for many reasons, but chief among them was her being the first player to dunk in a WNBA game (2002), a feat that underlined her revolutionary impact on the sport.

Over her 13-year professional career (1997-2009), Leslie earned 12 All-WNBA selections, eight All-Star nods, three All-Star Game MVP awards and two Defensive Player of the Year honors, finishing with career averages of 17.3 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game.

Since retiring, she has remained a prominent ambassador for the game, as a studio analyst for NBC, ABC and Fox Sports and a coach in the BIG3 league.

With the All-Star break just weeks away, Tuesday had a legend of the game in attendance as both the Sky and the Sparks face a pivotal stretch that could define their playoff hopes.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!