Sparks look to rebound against reigning champs
After losing two matchups against the Las Vegas Aces, who are tied for the best record in the WNBA, the Sparks embark on another two-game series — this time against the other top team, the reigning champion Seattle Storm.
The Sparks fell 66-58 to the Aces on Friday after losing by 24 to them two days prior. The Sparks heightened their energy and defensive prowess in the second game, but still came up short against the Aces, who lead the league in clutch wins — tied, again, at six with the Storm.
“They just wanted to come back and be better,” Sparks coach Derek Fisher said of his team. “Just continuing to learn how to show a level of individual and team grit.”
Before Friday’s game, Fisher said he noticed the team got quiet on defense at times during the first matchup. They allowed 52 points in the paint and 55 rebounds Wednesday.
They weren’t quiet Friday. Led by guard Brittney Sykes and center Amanda Zahui B., the Sparks (6-10) continue to rank among the top five in
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defense (98.2), despite losing five of their past six. Nia Coffey, typically reserved in stature off the court, contributed four emphatic blocks against the Aces, igniting momentum back toward L.A.
“The most quiet people are the most dangerous ones, and Nia is definitely a great example of that,” Zahui B. said. “It’s wild how athletic she is.”
The Sparks will have to keep their efforts loud to compete with the Storm (134).
Like the Aces, Seattle ranks in the top five in offensive (second at 106.0) and defensive (fourth at 97.2.) rating. While Vegas hounds the paint, the Storm find their offense beyond the perimeter as the No. 1 team in 3-point percentage (40.7).
Meanwhile, the Sparks rank eighth in opposition 3-point percentage (35.6). Los Angeles has struggled to contain teams like the Dallas and New York, who shoot a large percentage of 3s.
Seattle center Breanna Stewart, the 2020 WNBA Finals MVP, is third in the league in scoring with a team-best 21 points per game, followed by her fellow Olympic teammates Jewell Loyd (18.1) and Sue Bird (11.1).
While the Storm march out their big three, the Sparks have missed three starters. Kristi Toliver missed her third consecutive game Friday, and Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike have missed several weeks with knee injuries.
It’s been just more than a month since Nneka Ogwumike sprained her knee June 1. She was initially given a 4-6 week recovery timetable. The older Ogwumike did some work on the court during Friday’s shootaround. The Sparks have only three games before they start the Olympic break, which is from July 12-Aug. 11.
Los Angeles has lost three in a row and seven of 11 without Nneka Ogwumike, who was leading the team in scoring at 16.4 ppg.
Amid the fatigue of continually competing shorthanded, that’s when Fisher saw a slippage of energy and communication.
“That’s when you know you have to just make sure those habits are setting in,” he said. “It’s a tough balance right now, but we don’t see that setting in with our group at this point.”