Sparks hope to get on track against Indiana
Count on Derek Fisher to maintain a philosophical approach.
With Saturday’s 76-61 loss at Connecticut, the Sparks’ third straight defeat, L.A. fell to 1016 overall and slipped a bit further in the standings, to 10th (though just a half-game out of eighth place and a playoff berth). But with just six regular-season games remaining, including two more on the six-game road swing, Fisher stayed glued to the big picture.
“Success, excellence, elite performance isn’t finite,” Fisher said. “There isn’t a final destination; it’s just kind of this constant journey and evolution of who we are as a team.
“So this stretch of games, it’s part of that process. I don’t know if ‘solace’ is the word, but I do feel whether you win or lose a game on a particular night, there are definitely things you can learn from it that tells you a lot about your team, and continues to inform you of those things you’re capable of doing every night.”
One thing the Sparks have learned for certain this season is that Erica Wheeler is going to give them as much as she can.
The 5-foot-7 guard is having a career season for the Sparks, averaging personal bests in points (13.6), minutes (29.7) and rebounds (3.0). Her 4.6 assists per game are her best per-game average in six WNBA seasons, the previous four of which she starred in Indiana — where the Sparks play today.
As the Sparks struggled the past three games, including losing their past two to the first-place Connecticut Sun, Wheeler remained a bright spot. In those losses, she averaged 11.7 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds and 1.7 steals. (Nia Coffey also gave the Sparks a pick-me-up, averaging 15 points on 50% shooting in those contests.)
“She’s been learning how to lead on a new team, a new organization, completely different set of circumstances coming into the season with strong personalities and leaders like Nneka and Chiney (Ogwumike) and Kristi (Toliver),” Fisher said after practice Monday.
“And all of a sudden (because of injuries), she found herself being the only of those four out there for long stretches of time. I think she’s developed and matured in a lot of ways as a leader and as someone we can rely on every night she’s trying to give her best. She’s improved defensively, her voice has gotten stronger and her teammates respect what she’s trying to get accomplished on the court. She has plenty of room to continue to grow and improve and get better as a player, and she’s already really good now.
“So we’re lucky to have her, and we’re hoping that her first time bring back here in Indiana, things can go well for us and the fans that are able to come out show the love for her that she deserves.”
Wheeler acknowledged Monday that “Indiana is home for me still,” appreciative of the environment where she became an AllStar in 2019, and the first undrafted player to earn recognition as the All-Star Game MVP.
“It’s always good to be back,” Wheeler said. “But my shirt says ‘L.A. Sparks’ so that’s who I’m rocking with. And every game that we have moving forward is very important.”
The Sparks beat Indiana, 78-68, on Aug. 15 at Staples Center, the first of four consecutive victories. Since then, the last-place Fever (5-19) have won once and lost twice.
Indiana seems — on paper anyway — like an ideal opponent to help the Sparks get back on track again, even if L.A. plays without Chiney Ogwumike (who is questionable with knee soreness) and Kristi Toliver (who will be out with a hand injury).
“We have to stay within ourselves,” Wheeler said. “Not look too far ahead, look at what people are saying about playoffs, about the number of games we need.
“We have Indiana tomorrow and that’s all we need to be worried about.”