You solely get one shot at a primary impression — and for the Sparks, led by a first-year coach and a brand new celebrity, Sunday marked the house crowd’s first glimpse of the new-look squad inside Crypto.com Area.
With excessive aspirations, together with a return to the playoffs, the Sparks confronted an early litmus check within the Minnesota Lynx — a perennial contender and final 12 months’s WNBA runner-up, led by one of many league’s elite abilities in Napheesa Collier.
The Sparks confirmed they’re clearly able to competing for a playoff spot with their energetic and cohesive play, however their 89-75 loss to Minnesota additionally demonstrated they’re nonetheless behind the league’s elite groups.
Within the first half, the Sparks (1-1) went toe-to-toe with the Lynx. They trailed 46-45 at halftime, an encouraging begin for a staff studying to gel below new management whereas dealing with a battle-tested opponent returning 5 starters from final 12 months’s Finals run.
Dearica Hamby led the cost on the offensive glass, relentlessly changing on the free-throw line. She led the Sparks with 20 factors and 10 rebounds for her second straight double-double.
Azurá Stevens was unshaken on catch-and-shoot appears, confidently letting it fly on her technique to a team-high 21 factors. Rickea Jackson added a bodily presence, attacking defenders and establishing herself within the lane.
However by the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Sparks trailed by eight. They mounted a short comeback, sparked by a Kelsey Plum steal that led to a transition layup, chopping the deficit to 80-75. A gritty defensive stand adopted, with rookie Sarah Ashlee Barker and Collier hitting the deck for a free ball, establishing one other Sparks possession.
However missed alternatives on the offensive finish allowed the Lynx (2-0) to regain momentum and push the lead to double digits — a margin that proved an excessive amount of to beat.
Already shorthanded, the Sparks suffered one other blow when Jackson went down after a tough collision late within the third quarter. She remained on the ground for a couple of minutes earlier than strolling off with the assistance of trainers. Jackson watched the remainder of the sport from the bench.
Stevens was a much-needed contributor, showcasing the abilities she labored on through the offseason, notably her improved three-point capturing. She scored 12 of the staff’s first 17 factors, making her first trio of three-point makes an attempt to present the Sparks an early lead.
Defensively, Stevens drew the powerful project of containing Collier, a matchup nightmare for the complete Sparks unit. Coming off a 34-point outing Friday that tied her profession excessive, Collier scored 23 factors.
The Sparks leaned closely on Plum of their season-opening win Friday towards Golden State, logging 40 minutes — a workload coach Lynne Roberts referred to as “unsustainable.” To lighten the load, Roberts turned to Barker for vital minutes on the level.
Whereas Barker wasn’t stellar offensively, she performed 24 minutes and introduced a much-needed jolt of defensive vitality. Plum completed with 18 factors and 5 assists.
It marked Barker’s first recreation at Crypto.com Area — a milestone for the self-proclaimed “Mamba Mentality” disciple, stepping up for a depleted backcourt. With simply 4 wholesome guards out there, the staff continues to navigate Rae Burrell’s absence as she recovers from a knee damage that’s anticipated to maintain her out six to eight weeks.
