July 1, 2008, Tuesday -- The three early games in the WNBA were:

The New York Liberty defeated the Los Angeles Sparks, 89-78. Considering who the Sparks have on their roster - Candace Parker and Lisa Leslie to name the two superstars -- there is no excuse for them to lose to the Liberty. In previous losses, coach Michael Cooper has blamed their lack of a point guard, but one really wonders if its not Cooper's coaching. Rookie Shannon Bobbitt is a point guard, and she could do no worse than the players on the floor tonight.

Candace Parker had 18 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks, three assists and three steals. DeLisha Milton-Jones added 15 points. Lisa Leslie had 12 points, but fouled out with 6:55 to play.

For the Liberty, Shameka Christon scored a career-high 28 points and Janel McCarville put in 15 points.

The Phoenix Mercury kept the Atlanta Dream winless, with a 87-79 victory. Diana Taurasi put in 28 points, while Tangela Smith added 17. For the Dream, Betty Lennox scored 18 points and Jennifer Lacey 16.

The Houston Comets lost to the Connecticut Sun, 78-68.

The Sun overcame a 14-point deficit to dim the Comets night.

Lindsay Whalen scored 14 points, and had nine assists - a career record for the Sun. Asjha Jones added 15 points and grabbed 8 rebounds.

Houston was again without its top scorer, Tina Thompson. Matee Ajavon led the team with 14 points, and Michelle Snow had 11.