Sparks enjoy a special victory

There was a sense of history Tuesday in Staples Center as the Sparks and the New York Liberty took the court. It was 15 years ago that the teams met in the WNBA’s inaugural game.

The Sparks ultimately won, 96-91, in a game that seemed to mean more than most.

“This is the longest lasting professional women’s league in the history of the United States,” said Sparks owner Kathy Goodman, who was at the first game in 1997 as a spectator. “That’s a real milestone and accomplishment.”

The game didn’t lack drama.

The Sparks were protecting a 92-91 lead when De-

Lisha Milton Jones came up with a steal in the paint and Candace Parker made a driving layup with 29.9 seconds left. Milton-Jones made a pair of free throws for the final margin.

“That was 15 years coming,” Parker said.

The Sparks (4-1) are on a three-game winning streak for the first time since August 2009. Last season, they didn’t even accumulate four wins until nearly halfway through the season.

It was a good sendoff for the Sparks, considering 11 of their next 13 games are on the road. Last season, they were 5-12 in away games.

“We’re taking this as a new season and not thinking about the past,” Sparks forward Tina Thompson said.

Both teams shot better than 50% from the field in the first half and Parker made a 31-foot buzzer-beater at the end of the second quarter to send the teams into their locker rooms tied at 53-53.

The Liberty opened the third quarter with a 7-0 run to take a 60-53 lead — its biggest of the game — but the Sparks countered with a barrage of five three-point shots to take a 76-71 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Sparks made 11 of 19 from behind the three-point line.

Milton-Jones led the Sparks with 27 points, Parker had 21 points and 13 rebounds, and Kristi Toliver added 16 off the bench.

“I came out with more of an edge and a chip on my shoulder,” said Milton-Jones, who was averaging 10.8 points.

Said Thompson, who scored 14 points and made two three-pointers: “It’s a blessing to be able to have a career in any field for over a decade. Today is definitely a special day.”

melissa.rohlin@latimes.com