SPARKS TONIGHT

vs. New York, 7

Site -- The Pyramid, Long Beach State.

Record vs. Liberty (2003) -- 1-0.

Update -- This exhibition is the first of four meetings between the teams this season. They will play a final exhibition game next week in New York, then battle twice during the regular season. Coach Michael Cooper, at least in the beginning, will be more interested in how the players mesh than in the final result. Although most of the Sparks’ roster is set, there are still a couple of slots up for grabs, and Cooper says he wants to play everyone. The Liberty has undergone some changes, having waved goodbye to Teresa Weatherspoon and Tamika Whitmore (now with the Sparks) after drafting Arkansas’ Shameka Christon and adding former Cleveland center Ann Wauters.

Tickets -- (562) 985-4949.