From Next to Now: WNBA Starts With Sparks and Liberty Today

The little seeds the NBA planted 14 months ago, when it announced it was going into the women’s basketball business, will begin flowering today at the Forum, when the Women’s NBA launches its first season.

The Los Angeles Sparks will play the New York Liberty at 1 p.m. in a nationally televised game.

Tonight, Houston plays at Cleveland, and Sacramento is at Utah. Sunday, Charlotte opens at Phoenix.

It’s a 28-game season, with the Liberty-Sparks opener showing off two of the WNBA’s three marquee players, Lisa Leslie of the Sparks and Rebecca Lobo of New York. The third, Houston’s Sheryl Swoopes, won’t play opening weekend. Her baby is due today.

Spark Coach Linda Sharp wants to start with a strong game from her two big players, 6-foot-8 Zheng Haixia from China and the 6-5 Leslie. She also will start two rookies today, top draft pick Jamilla Wideman at point guard and Tamecka Dixon on the wing. Penny Toler is the shooting guard.