Sky can’t find spark in semi opener
LONG BEACH, Calif. — Candace Parker scored 19 of her 30 points in the first half, Nneka Ogwumike added 27 and the Los Angeles Sparks beat the visiting Sky 95- 75 in their semifinal playoff opener Wednesday night.
Two- time WNBA MVP Parker had nine rebounds, and newly crowned MVP Ogwumike had 10 rebounds and six assists for the Sparks.
The Sky was missing injured star Elena Delle Donne and her team- leading 21.5 points and seven rebounds. In her absence, the offensive load was spread among four players. Jamierra Faulkner scored a team- high 13 points off the bench. Cappie Pondexter added 12, Tamera Young had 11 and Courtney Vandersloot 10.
The Sparks ran off nine straight points for an 86- 65 lead in the fourth.
The Sky never got closer than 12 points in the third, with Parker scoring the Sparks’ final six points on a three- point play and a threepointer. Ogwumike had 12 in the quarter, including eight in a row, stealing the ball and converting at the other end in one possession.