San Antonio Defeats Sparks 91-71 At Home

Story by L.T.Willis

San Antonio's # 20 Shameka Christon scored 16 points in a victory
over the Sparks 91-71 at the Staple Center. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

The Los Angeles Sparks are now (10-5) after losing at home to the San Antonio Silver Stars (6-5) 91-71 behind the performance of Sophia Young 20 points 9 rebounds and Shemeka Christon 16 points for the game. The Sparks were out hustle and out rebounded in the game and never could get any defensive stops to get back into the game. Back to back games are part of playing basketball so the players still have to go out and compete, but the Sparks just couldn't match their energy.

Sparks' #8 DeLisha Milton-Jones scored
13 points against the Silver Stars. Photo
by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

Silver Stars' # 23 Danielle Adams size and
speed was too much for the Sparks.
Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports

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The Silver Stars starters matched up well against the Sparks starting five and may explain the poor shooting of the Sparks on the night. The Sparks trailed 26-20 in the first quarter and in the second quarter the Sparks defense held San Antonio to 16 points in the second quarter too help stay close. The Sparks big three  Kristi Toliver, Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike were struggling from the floor and just couldn't get any rhythm going on offense and now trailed San Antonio 42-36 at the half.

San Antonio's # 25 Becky Hammon and # 23 Danielle
Adams. Photo by Eric Wade/T.G. Sports.

The Sparks' bench with Jantel Lavender who only played about seven minutes had no points and April Sykes who finish the the night with 11 points and Melissa Coleman 4 points just wasn't enough production and with the poor shooting from the starters, the Silver Stars were pulling away from the Sparks late in the third quarter with about 40 seconds left leading 68-55. You could see it in the swagger of the Sparks they were just tired.

The Sparks defense couldn't slow down Becky Hammon
from scoring 12 points and 10 assist. Photo by
Eric Wade/T/G.Sports.

Sparks' #24 April Sykes scored
11 points and 4 rebounds off
the bench  for the Sparks.
Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports

What was surprising about the game was the turnovers from both sides were very low especially from the Sparks who seemed tired from the beginning of the game committed only 11 turnovers and San Antonio only 9 turnovers. San Antonio defeated the Sparks by 20 points 91-71 and gave them their first lost at home of the season. Poor shooting from Nneka Ogwumike 4 for12 10 points 5 rebounds, Candace Parker 6 for17 15 points 15 rebounds, Kristi Toliver 3 for 14 8 points, April Sykes 4 for10 11 points and DeLisha Milton-Jones 6 for 9 with 13 points for the game.

San Antonio's #33 Sophia Young Had a big night
against the Sparks with 20 points and 9 rebounds.
Photo by Eric Wade/ T.G.Sports.

San Antonio's Sophia Young led both teams in scoring with 20 points 9 rebounds and team mates Shemeka Christon 16 points, Danielle Adams 14 points and Becky Hammon 12 points 10 assists. The Sparks offense struggles sometimes because of matchup problems against other teams and injuries to their roster. Alana Beard should be playing the point and Kristi Toliver the shooting guard which is her natural position you can still see she is thinking basketball and not playing basketball which effects her game.

The Silver Stars were more physical than the Sparks
during the game. Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

Jantel Lavender who proved last season she can give you double digits in scoring and rebounds would give the Sparks  more of a physical threat from the perimeter, the paint and defense with younger legs who prove she could run with best of the centers in the WNBA. With this move  letting DeLisha Milton- Jones coming off the bench she can the Sparks the fire power they need with Ebony Hoffman and Nicky Anosike  still out for weeks, and keep her legs fresher so she doesn't have to bang with all the younger forwards in the league. All photos are by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports and EW Gems Images.

Sparks Defeats Tulsa 95-79 At Home

Story by L.T.Willis

The Los Angeles Sparks defeated the Tulsa Shock
95-79 at the Staple Center. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports

The Sparks improved their record to (9-3) against Tulsa (1-10) with a 95-79 victory with Candace Parker leading the way with 33 points and 8 rebounds. Tulsa on May 29 at the Staple Center saw Kristi Toliver hit a jumper as time ran out to beat them 66-65. Toilver who had her worst night still learning the point guard position who is naturally a shooting guard committed 14 turnovers which is a WNBA record. Toliver put that game behind her as she had only 3 turnovers for the whole game.

Tulsa's #25 Glory Johnson and Sparks' #20 Kristi Toliver
battle for a loose ball. Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

Candace Parker came out with energy as it seem she could do what ever she wanted too do against Tulsa. Nneka Ogwumike who had 12 points for the game which i consider a off night for her was still showing why she is the favorite to win the Rookie of the Year Award as she continues to improve. The Sparks defense has been a another big factor with great team defense have forced teams to really turn the ball over this season.

Sparks' #30 Nneka Ogumike and # 3 Candace Parker applying
defensive pressure on Tulsa's # 2 Temeka Johnson. Photo
by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

Tulsa's Glory Johnson and Courtney Paris were trying their best to keep them in the game , but the Sparks just came out with too much effort and energy and at the half trailed the Sparks 49-39. As hard as Tulsa fought too get back into the game they couldn't get no closer than 9 or 10 points and at the end of the third quarter they trailed the Sparks 67-57.Tulsa's Glory Johnson scored 19 points, Courtney Paris 11 points 8 rebounds, Temeka Johnson 11 points, Ivory Latta and Riquna Williams  both with 10 points wasn't enough as the Sparks defeated Tulsa 95-79.

Sparks' #25 Marissa Coleman pushing the ball up
court on a fast break. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

Candace Parker finish the night with 33 points, Kristi Toliver 22 points 6 assist, DeLisha Milton Jones 15 points, Nneka Ogumike 12 points 6 rebounds were high for the Sparks. Kristi Toliver made much better decision with the ball and with only 3 turnovers for night were key for the Sparks victory along with Candace Parker outstanding game. The Sparks coaching staff will still have to figure out how they can get more production out of their bench with the all the injuries they have already, and  need to have more of a physical presence in the paint. All photos are by Eric Wade/ T.G. Sports and EW Gems Images.

Nneka Ogwumike A Superstar In The Makings

Story by L.T.Willis

Los Angeles Sparks' #30 Nneka Ogwumike. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports

The Los Angeles Sparks are (8-3) and the main reason is their number one draft pick from Stanford Nneka Ogwumike. Off the court she is one of the nicest young lady you will ever meet, but on the court she is totally a different person. Nneka has giving the Los Angeles Sparks something that they had needed for a long time and that's another superstar too help Candace Parker. Nneka Ogwumike has made the Sparks a better shooting team from the outside showing that she can pull up and hit big game shots,  and has made her name known in the WNBA if you fall asleep she will blow right by you going to the rim. She is in the top 15 in scoring averaging 15.0 points per game in the league.

Sparks' #30 Nneka Ogwumike. Photo
by Eric Wade/ T.G.Sports

Nneka Ogwumike.Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports

She has added a defensive presence at the forward position helping the Sparks to becoming a better rebounding  team and has taken some of the pressure off of Candace Parker to guard some of the elite forwards in the WNBA. What is really amazing about Nneka  Ogwumike is that she is third in the league in field goal averages with a impressive 58% from the floor in her first season. She is fearless and the scary thing about her she is getting better in every game. Her energy level is unmatched by any player so far that we seen in the WNBA this season. Her leaping ability, upper body strenght and her speed makes her one of the hardest players to guard one on one in the league.

Sparks' #30 Nneka Ogwumike. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

She is leading all rookies in scoring  with  15 points per game and 9 block shots, second in minutes played with a average of 26.4 and third in free throws shooting  83% from the line. If there was going to be a All Star Game this year surely she would have too be a front runner for a starter as a forward for the west squad. Now if the Sparks can just stay healthy and the injury bug doesn't continue to bite them any more and the bench play gets better with Candace Parker, Kristi Toliver and a superstar in the makings Nneka Ogwumike continues to get better The Sparks will be a team to recon with. They have three players that you must respect at all times. All photos are by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports and EW Gems Images.

Sparks' #30 Nneka Ogumike. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

The Sparks Are (8-3) Back At Home

Story by L.T.Willis

The Sparks' #20 Kristi Toliver  had a good night against the
Washington Mystics. Photo by Eric Wade/T.G. Sports

The  Los Angeles Sparks improved their record to (8-3) after a long road trip and being short handed with players. Ebony Hoffman still out with a left sprained ankle and Nicky Anosike left strain knee still out for several weeks, the Sparks had loses in San Antonio and Atlanta. Nneka Ogwumike miss a game because she was graduating from Stanford and was back in town for a show down with the Washington Mystics (2-5) on Monday. The Washington Mystics sign two former Sparks players Natasha Lacy and Noelle Quinn to their roster and both players were cheered when introduce.

Sparks' #0 Alana Beard goes  strong
to the rim against several Mystics.
Photo by Eric Wade /T.G.Sports

Sparks' #3 Candace Parker being guarded by
Mystics' # 2 Michelle Snow. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports

The first quarter of the game both teams were struggling with their offensive and turnovers made it a very sloppy game with the score being Sparks 18 Mystics 14 during the first quarter. It look like the Sparks were going to start pulling away from the Mystics when Natasha Lacy entered the game and  scored 7 points under three minutes left in the first quarter and Michelle Snow scored 4 points. The Sparks' Nneka Ogwumike continues to be a force to recon with in the WNBA was back and was leading the attack for the Sparks as she was  3-4  from the floor with 7 points. Kristi Toliver  had 6 points in the first quarter, but Candace Parker only had 1 point during that quarter showed even superstars have off nights.

Sparks' #3 Candace Parker. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports

The second quarter the Sparks turned up the heat on defense and forced the Mystics to commit 13 turnovers which lead to 13 points as other Sparks players begin to find their rhythm being at home. DeLisha Milton-Jones found her groove as she shot 3 for4 from the floor with 7 points, Alana Beard scored 6 points and Kristi Toliver ended the second quarter with 12 points as the Sparks had a 44-36 lead at half time. The Sparks defense have really came thru for this team this season as Coach Ross and her coaching staff have made that become the Sparks' trade mark forcing teams to make mistakes.

Sparks' #30 Nneka Ogwumike. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports

The third quarter the Sparks offense was in high gear as Nneka Ogwumike had already racked up 17 points and was 8 for 9 from the floor, Kristi Toliver 15 points, DeLisha Milton- Jones had 13points and Candace Parker 11 points and 8 rebounds was just too much for the Mystics to over come. The Sparks was controlling the boards and  had some great fast breaks that had the Sparks' fans standing on their feet. The Sparks had a 21 point lead at the end of the third quarter 73-52. The Mystics' Michelle Snow 15 points and Natasha Lacy 12 points was just not enough to keep them in the game.

Sparks' # 3 Candace Parker.Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

The Sparks defeated Mystics 101-70 with great defense and had balance scoring from their starters.The most impressive stat to me was the amount of time players had during the game with all the injuries. The starters had great amount of time and all were productive , but the minutes by the bench  kept a lot of the starters fresh. Jantel Lavender played 19:59 with 16 points 6 rebounds since last season has shown when she gets playing time she will produce, and with Ebony Hoffman and Nicky Anosike out she will be a key bench player. Nneka Ogwumike lead the Sparks in scoring with 24 points 7 rebounds, Kristi Toliver 15 points 6 assist, DeLisha Milton-Jones had 13 points, Candace Parker had 11 points and 8 rebounds and Alana Beard had 10 points and 5 assist. The Mystics' Michelle Snow finish with 15 points 7 rebounds, Natasha Lacy 12 points, Monique Currie 11 points and Noelle Quinn 10 points 5 rebounds. All photos were by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports and EW Gems Images. The Sparks next game is this Wednesday June 20 against Tulsa.

Sparks Defeats Phoenix 90-74

Story by L.T. Willis

The Sparks' defense is the reason why their record
is 7-1 after defeating the Phoenix Mercury. Photo
by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

The Los Angeles Sparks improve their record to (7-1) after defeating the Phoenix Mercury (3-5) 90-74 with some great defensive team effort. The first quarter was neck in neck as rookie sensation Nneka Ogwumike 5 points, Candace Parker 4 points and DeLisha Milton-Jones 7 points were leading the charge in the first quarter. The Phoenix Mercury's Charde Houston 6 points and Candice Dupree 4 points were doing all they could too help keep them in the game. The Sparks had only a three point lead at the end of the first quarter 21-17.

Phoenix Mercury's #22 Charde
Houston. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

Phoenix's #4 Candice Dupree skies
high for a rebound over Sparks'
#20 Kristi Toliver. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

                                                                                                                     

The second quarter wasn't good to Phoenix as the Sparks started to pull away from them as Candace Parker was showing why she is a superstar in the WNBA running the court having her way as she finish  the first half with 14 points 6 rebounds while Nneka Ogwumike had 11 points, DeLisha Milton- Jones  9 points and Kristi Toliver 7 points and the Sparks lead the Mercury 43-28 at the half. The Sparks' defense had already force Phoenix to commit 14 turnovers which lead to 14 points for the Sparks which was about the difference in the point spread that didn't allow the Mercury back into the game.

Sparks' #3 Candace Parker had 19 points leading the way
in the third quarter. Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports

The Mercury's Charde Houston was chipping in 19 points along with Candice Dupree 11 points, DeWanna Bonner ,Samantha  Prahalis and Alexis Gray- Lawson all scored six points, yet Phoenix couldn't make stops on defense and slow down Nneka Ogwumike, Candace Parker who both had 19 points, DeLisha Milton Jones and Kristi Toliver both had 12 points also in the third quarter and the Sparks led 66-57 at the end of the third quarter.

Sparks' #8 DeLisha Milton-Jones. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

Sparks' #30 Nneka Ogwumike. Photo
by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

The Sparks defeated the Phoenix Mercury 90-74 behind the balance attack of Nneka Ogwumike 25 points 12 rebounds, Candace Parker 23 points 10 rebounds, DeLisha Milton-Jones 21 points and Kristi Toliver 14 points and nine assist. Phoenix had three players in double figures Charde Houston 22 points, DeWanna Bonner 18 points and Candice Dupree 13 points. All photos were by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports and EW Gems Images.

A Prayer Was Answer In Sparks' Victory Over Seattle 67-65

Story by L.T.Willis

The Sparks' defense forces the Storm into a turnover. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

The (4-1) Los Angeles Sparks hosted the (1-3) Seattle Storm on Sunday at the Staple Center in a game that turned out to be another game won in the last few seconds. The Sparks' defense has been keeping them in all of their games, but now there has to a point when the offense has to start cranking it up. However the defense for the Sparks has some cracks in it's armor that must be address. Giving up 24 points in the paint is too much and being out rebounded must be corrected . Also their defensive rotation on the perimeter and leaving teams best shooters wide open must do a better job on finding them.

Sparks' Candace Parker challenge a shot by Seattle's Ann Wauters. Photo
by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

The Sparks must also figure out how to get center Jantel Lavander in the game so she can develop into the center she is capable of being. She has proven that when she gets the minutes she can produce points, runs the floor better than most centers in the WNBA and has also proven she can pull up and hit the mid range jumpers and take defenders of the dribble. Letting Jantel use her big body to wear down other teams centers will help Candace Parker stay more healthier and less wear and tear on her body. Ebony Hoffman is another players who is another banger who needs more time on the floor and still is one of the best 3 point shooters in the game as a forward. With a solid post game being establish this will force teams to change their defensive strategy.

Sparks' #20 Kristi" Popcorn" Toliver has
become a force to recon with in the
WNBA. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

Sparks' #30 Nneka Ogwumike will become
a superstar in the WNBA. Photo by Eric
Wade/T.G.Sports

The last two games against Seattle the Storm force the Sparks to become a perimeter shooting team which for the most part played into their hands and last night game was no different. In the first half the Sparks shot 34.4% from the floor while the Storm shot 41.4% from the floor and at half time the Sparks trailed 34-32. The Storm made adjustment in their defense and force the Sparks into some bad shots and made easy baskets on their end of the court. The Sparks' Candace Parker and the Storm's Katie Smith both had 11 points in the first half.

The Sparks' defense couldn't keep the Storm out of the paint and trailed at
the end of the third quarter 49-43. Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

The third quarter was no better for the Sparks as the Storm continue to find easy baskets in the paint and had the Sparks on the rope. Sue Bird was having a quiet night as she had only 12 points in the third while the Sparks's defense was trying to clamp down and get them back in the game. At the end of the third quarter the Storm still led 49-43. Now in the fourth quarter with about 1:49  left in the game the Sparks led 61-60 after a Kristi Toliver layup and  Candace Parker blocked Tanisha Wright shot and once again the Sparks' defense came up big. Now with 49 seconds left Nneka Ogwumike drove from the left side of the base line and hit a reverse lay up and the Sparks now led 63-60.

The Sparks' #30 Nneka Qgwumike with 02.1 seconds
left in the game hits a 14' jumper and the Sparks
defeated the Storm 67-65. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

The Sparks' defense did a cardinal sin and left Katie Smith wide open on the left side of their court and she hit a 3 pointer from about 22' and tied the game 63-63. It was nervous time at the Staple Center when Kristi Toliver scored on a layup and now the Sparks led 65-63 with 12.6 seconds left in the game and the Storm called time out and got the ball back on their side line. The Storm's Camile Little scored on a put back with 05.5 seconds left and tied the game 65-65 and the Sparks called time out. Now the Sparks would get the ball on the right side of their court after the time out with 05.5 left in the game. 

We have lost a special person who coached the Sparks in 1998 & 1999
Orlando Woolridge we will miss you. Eric Wade/T.G.Sports

 The Sparks inbound the ball to Alana Beard who pass the ball to Nneka Ogwumike with 02.1 seconds hit a 14' jump shot and the Sparks prayer was answer with a 67-65 victory over Seattle. The Sparks Kristi "Popcorn" Toliver led her team in scoring with 23 points and 7 assist,Candace Parker had 16 points 13 rebounds and Nneka Ogwumike finish with 10 points. The Storm's Katie Smith finish with 19 points and Sue Bird  finish with 12 points. What a wonderful way to honor the passing of  a great players who played in the NBA and coached in the WNBA with a victory than Orlando Woolridge who coached the Sparks in 1998 and 1999. All photos were by Eric Wade /T.G.Sports and EW Gems Images. The next  game for the Sparks is at home on June 8th against the Phoenix Mercury.