NBA TV highlights from Sparks-Sun: 56k | 300k

The Sparks won the first WNBA game played outside the realm of the NBA, never trailing and holding on for an 82-73 victory that ruined the debut of the Connecticut Sun.

Mwadi Mabika scored 19 points to lead a balanced attack for the two-time defending WNBA champions which began their season as drawing card to help the Sun, who moved from Orlando during the offseason.

The nationally televised game was played before a young, enthusiastic sellout crowd of 9,341 at Mohegan Sun Arena, a facility on the grounds of the resort and casino of the same name which owns the team.

A state crazy about women's basketball did not have much to cheer in the first half. Los Angeles scored the first seven points and put together a 9-0 run later in the first half. They opened a 36-24 lead with 6:50 remaining on a layup by WNBA MVP Lisa Leslie, who had 18 points and 10 rebounds.

A basket by Mabika with 32 seconds to go gave the Sparks their largest lead at 53-36. The Sun closed to 55-41 at halftime but got no closer than four points in the game's final minute as Mike Thibault lost his WNBA coaching debut. He had been an assistant with the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks.

DeLisha Milton had 17 points and eight rebounds and Tamecka Dixon scored 16 points for the Sparks, who overcame 39 percent shooting (28-of-72) by making 24-of-28 free throws.

Former UConn standout Nykesha Sales had 16 points and 10 boards and Katie Douglas and Pee Wee Johnson also scored 16 points each for the Sun, who shot just 34.5 percent (29-of-84) and sank 7-of-14 free throws.