Nneka Ogwumike returned to Seattle one last time Sunday, and she made it count. The Los Angeles Sparks forward led all scorers with 23 points and pulled down 12 rebounds as the Sparks defeated the Storm 90-74, in what will be Ogwumike's final game in Seattle before she retires at the end of the season.
The Storm honored Ogwumike before the game. Players arrived at the arena wearing her No. 3 Seattle jersey. She also received a framed edition of her Seattle jersey and met with Storm owners on the court in a pregame ceremony, according to Yahoo Sports.
Ogwumike spent most of her 15-year WNBA career with the Sparks, but played two seasons with Seattle from 2024 to 2025. The 36-year-old returned to Los Angeles last offseason on a one-year deal. Her time in Seattle was brief but left an impression on the organization.
Earlier this month, Ogwumike announced her retirement. In an episode of Boardroom Talks, she spoke with journalist Taylor Rooks about her decision.
"For so long that strength meant finding a way to keep pushing," Ogwumike said. "Now, it means recognizing when you feel complete. I find myself grateful, fulfilled, and at peace with everything this game has given me and everything I've poured into it."
Her career includes 11 All-Star selections, five of them consecutive, along with the 2012 Rookie of the Year award and the 2016 league MVP, which came after she led the Sparks to a WNBA championship. Off the court, she served as president of the WNBA Players Association and played a central role in negotiations for the league's new collective bargaining agreement. Players and the league reached an agreement on the CBA in March, with the document finalized in May.
With the Sparks eliminated from playoff contention, Ogwumike has four games remaining in her career. Her final game will be at home against the Golden State Valkyries on September 24.
