The Los Angeles Sparks began their season with a 92-81 residence loss towards the Atlanta Dream in entrance of a packed home on the Walter Pyramid in Lengthy Seashore.
The Sparks have been within the sport till a 9-0 run to begin the fourth quarter, which resulted within the Dream separating themselves, securing the lead, and successful the sport.
Regardless of the loss, LA carried out effectively. Layshia Clarendon had her first triple-double of her profession with 11 factors, 10 assists and 10 rebounds. Kia Nurse led the group with 23 factors and 5 3-pointers. Dearica Hamby had a double-double with 20 factors and 14 rebounds. LA’s star rookies carried out effectively, with Cameron Brink beginning, scoring 11 factors and rejecting two photographs. Rickea Jackson scored seven factors from off the bench.
The defeat was disappointing however not discouraging, because the group wasn’t removed from successful. Nonetheless, issues solely get more durable from right here because the Sparks hit the street to face the Las Vegas Aces this weekend.
Within the opening quarter, Nurse received going instantly, scoring seven factors, and Los Angeles was off to a powerful begin. The bench struggled, ending the quarter with zero factors, however all the things was even at 26 factors after 10 minutes of play. The remainder of the primary half demonstrated this group’s strengths and weaknesses. The Sparks have been in a position to sustain with the Dream offensively however have been careless with the ball, turning it over eight instances. Defending the 3-point shot was additionally a difficulty, as they allowed Atlanta to shoot 57 % from the sphere, and Tina Charles was doing no matter she happy, going 7-for-9 from the sphere, good for 17 first-half factors.
The third quarter featured each groups occurring separate runs that would’ve turned the tide of the sport, however every time, the opposing group responded with a run of their very own. Issues have been all sq. after three quarters, because of Jackson’s buzzer-beating layup.
Within the fourth, the sport collapsed for the Spark. They went with a primarily backup unit, and the Dream took benefit. Atlanta went on a 9-0 run, and each their stars, Charles and Rhyne Howard, have been as dominant as ever. Howard ended the evening with 25 factors, and Charles had a double-double with 21 factors and 14 rebounds.
The Sparks tried to rally again with six minutes remaining however by no means closed the hole in any vital manner. Nurse hit a 3-pointer to finish the scoring drought, Brink had a few good baskets, and Dearica Hamby was in a position to seize 5 of her 14 rebounds, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient, because the Sparks dropped the season opener.
Relying in your perspective, this result’s both glass half full or half empty for Los Angeles. The promise was displayed on the event aspect, with the younger gamers wanting good and the starters enjoying effectively. From a outcomes perspective, it was a loss towards a fringe playoff group, that means the Sparks are in the identical spot they discovered themselves within the final three seasons, combating to not be a bottom-four group.
It’s too early to imagine which aspect this group will probably be on in the long run, however head coach Curt Miller must steadiness a younger and studying group with discovering success in a results-driven league.
