Parker stars as West deny East in WNBA All-star game
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT: Candace Parker scored a record 23 points to lead the West to a 102-98 win over the East on Saturday in the WNBA All-Star game and earn MVP honours.
The Los Angeles Sparks star was voted a starter for the 2011 game, but she couldn’t play because of a knee injury. This time, she put on a show.
Brittney Griner and top vote-getter Elena Delle Donne sat out because of injuries but there was plenty of talent on display in a game that featured a ref cam and in-huddle mics.
After a quiet first half, Parker helped rally the West after the break. With her team trailing by 11 early in the third quarter, Parker scored seven straight points. After the foul by Tamika Catchings, Parker flexed her muscles and used a nifty stutter-step from the wing for an easy lay-up. Parker finished off her run with another lay-in.
That seemed to signal the start of a more serious tone to the game. After Sparks teammate Kristi Toliver hit backto-back three-pointers to the tie game, Ivory Latta hit her own three-pointers to give the East an 81-74 advantage heading into the final period.
Parker, who finished with 11 rebounds, and Toliver wouldn’t let the West lose for the fourth time in the past five AllStar games. Parker broke Swin Cash’s All-Star game record of 22 points with a layup midway through the fourth quarter.
Trailing 100-98 with 30 seconds left, the East had a chance to take the lead, but Cappie Pondexter missed a threepointer. Parker got the rebound and Toliver sealed the win by hitting two free-throws.