It’s been a troublesome yr for the 5-15 Los Angeles Sparks, however there was some sunshine throughout this darkish season.
Dearica Hamby has continued to be the workforce’s greatest participant, and the Sparks managed an unbelievable win on Friday evening, defeating the Las Vegas Aces 98-93 in extra time to finish their eight-game shedding streak. Right here is all the great that’s occurred not too long ago in Los Angeles:
Dearica Hamby, Olympian
Whereas there’s nothing good about Cameron Brink being out for the yr, it’s created a possibility for Hamby. With Brink recovering and unable to play within the Olympics for Group USA within the 3×3 competitors, her spot was open. Hamby will take over that place and symbolize the People in Paris.
Jay Demmings, the USA Basketball 3×3 nationwide workforce director and member of the USA Basketball 3×3 girls’s choice committee, made an announcement relating to the change:
It’s an honor to announce Dearica Hamby’s addition to the USA 3×3 Ladies’s Nationwide Group and we sit up for attending to work as a squad very quickly. USA Basketball continues to maintain Cameron Brink in our ideas as she focuses on her restoration.
Hamby is enjoying her greatest ball for the Sparks, averaging 18.3 factors and 10.3 rebounds per sport. These are profession highs in each statistical classes. This degree of play has been appreciated in Southern California all yr lengthy and now, not solely has USA Basketball taken discover, however so has the remainder of the WNBA world, with Hamby making her third All-Star workforce.
Hamby has taken her sport to a different degree and it’s refreshing to see that play rewarded and acknowledged appropriately. It is a second value celebrating for a workforce that hasn’t had a lot to cheer for currently.
The eight-game shedding streak has ended
Whereas these private accolades are good, the Sparks have been shedding so much. Getting into Friday’s sport towards the Aces, that they had misplaced eight-straight video games, and going through the defending champs on a six-game successful streak isn’t a recipe for fulfillment.
Nonetheless, LA beat the percentages, besting the most effective in an extra time thriller. Hamby gave a prime efficiency as traditional, however McDonald stepped up with a career-high 23 factors. McDonald was maniacal in attacking Kelsey Plum and didn’t mince phrases after the sport, calling Plum a participant who “picks and chooses” when to play protection.
Apparently, Plum selected to not play protection towards the Sparks, as McDonald acquired no matter she needed on the court docket. This was a giant purpose the Sparks beat the Aces for the second time this season.
What’s subsequent for LA?
The trail towards extra wins than losses for the Sparks is bordering on inconceivable at this level, however they’ve taken some optimistic steps. Hamby, who signed an extension a contract extension by 2025, is enjoying nicely and McDonald helped LA win a hard-fought sport towards the most effective workforce the WNBA has to supply.
Possibly the Sparks can end July robust after which after the Olympic break, who is aware of?Possibly they will nonetheless go on a little bit of a run and sneak into that eighth and closing playoff spot? I imply, they’re solely two and a half video games behind the Indiana Fever from that place. It’s humorous what only one win can do. This workforce hadn’t had a victory in almost a month and after one sport I’m taking a look at playoff standings dreaming of a No. 1-vs.-No. 8 matchup.
Delusional optimism is nice typically.
