The timing of the suspensions of Los Angeles Sparks stars Candace Parker, Lisa Leslie and DeLisha Milton-Jones couldn't have come at a worse time for the New York Liberty.

Los Angeles' trio of Olympians will return to the court after serving their punishments for their roles in the worst brawl in WNBA history when the Sparks visit the Liberty on Friday.

On Thursday, the WNBA announced its suspensions for Tuesday's fight during Los Angeles' 84-81 win at Detroit. Parker, Leslie and Milton-Jones - who will all represent the United States in next month's Olympics - and rookie guard Shannon Bobbitt all missed Thursday's 87-61 loss at Connecticut.

"I feel bad for the Connecticut fans since we only come here once a year," Los Angeles coach Michael Cooper said. "They will have to wait until next year to see Candace and Lisa play."

The fans at Madison Square Garden will get to see those stars as Parker, Leslie and Milton-Jones will be eligible to return. Bobbitt will serve the final game of her suspension and miss her first chance to play in her hometown as a pro.

All of that is bad news for New York (13-10), which is trying to catch second-place Connecticut in the East. The Sun took advantage of the short-handed Sparks (14-11) on Thursday to move one game ahead of the Liberty.

"The league did what it did and there is nothing we can do about it," said Sparks reserve forward Murriel Page, who will begin her two-game suspension Friday. "We'll regroup and play in New York with our full unit there."

New York is trying to sweep Los Angeles for the second time in franchise history, along with the 2005 season. The Liberty posted one of their most impressive wins of the season on July 1 by rallying from an 11-point deficit entering the fourth quarter for an 89-78 win at Staples Center.

Shameka Christon scored a career-high 28 points and Janel McCarville added 15 in that contest for New York, which took advantage when Leslie fouled out with 6:55 left.

"Getting Lisa out of the game was huge for us," McCarville said. "That really opened up the inside and we were able to knock down big shots. If she had been in the whole game, it would've been a different story."

On Wednesday, the Liberty rode their bench to win for the fourth time in five games, 80-73 at Washington. Tiffani Jackson scored 14 points - part of 42 by New York's reserves.

New York has won five straight at the Garden, although its home winning streak ended with Saturday's 71-55 outdoor loss to Indiana at Arthur Ashe Stadium.