Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, suffered a 63–89 defeat to WNBA side Los Angeles Sparks in a landmark preseason friendly held on April 25, 2026, at Viejas Arena.
The encounter marked a significant milestone, as D’Tigress became the first African national team to face a WNBA franchise, underlining the growing global recognition of Nigeria’s dominance in women’s basketball.
From tip-off, the Sparks asserted control, showcasing superior efficiency in shooting and execution.
The American side converted 49 percent of their field goals (29-of-59), while also excelling from beyond the arc with an impressive 35 percent (11-of-31).
Their near-perfect display at the free-throw line, hitting 20-of-21 attempts (95 percent), further widened the gap.
D’Tigress, on the other hand, struggled to find rhythm offensively.
The Nigerian team shot 37 percent from the field (20-of-54) and endured a difficult night from three-point range, converting just 17 percent (3-of-18). They also posted a 63 percent success rate (20-of-32) from the free-throw line.
Despite the loss, the fixture offered valuable exposure for the youthful Nigerian roster, which featured a significant number of players drawn from U.S. college basketball programs.
The game forms part of a broader U.S. tour aimed at preparing the five-time Afrobasket champions for the upcoming FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
D’Tigress are scheduled to continue their tour with further high-profile matchups against the Minnesota Lynx and the Indiana Fever, as they fine-tune preparations for global competition.
While the result did not go in their favour, the historic clash represents another step forward in the development and international competitiveness of Nigerian women’s basketball.
