(East Los Angeles, CA) [From The Editor’s Desk]: May 25th marked the second WNBA Sparks game as well as the second “Commissioner’s Cup” game of the young season, and it was against the defending WNBA Champions, the Las Vegas Aces. Like the Sparks, the Aces won their first game of the season. This very early season match-up was complete with Candace “CP3” Parker, the longtime Sparks fan favorite and new member of the Aces roster. She joined Chelsea Gray, also a former Sparks All-Star and fan favorite in that respect.
[CELEBRITIES]:Found court-side on the “Look Who’s Here Cam“: Russell Westbrook; Aaron Donald & Family; Leslie Jones, actress, writer, singer, comedian, (former Saturday Night Live performer), and Jemele Hill, sports journalist.
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[GAME SUMMARY]
[1st Qtr]: Listed on the Sparks unable to play list was #30/Nneka Ogwumike, Not with Team (NWT) due to illness-Non COVID. Thus, much of the heavy lifting in the game would fall on her younger sister, #13/Chiney’s shoulders to make up for her big sister’absence. #5/Dearica Hamby would make her first start in the line-up, replacing N. Ogwumike.
The Sparks came out “en fuego”/”on fire” as they built up a quick five point lead at (14-9) by the (5:00) minute mark. For the Sparks side, #4/Lexie Brown led the assault with two 3-pointers, while substitute center, Hamby added a few points for a (17-9) score with (4:58) remaining in the 1st period. Looking good for the Aces were their big four of #3/Candace Parker, #22/Aja Wilson, #0/Jackie Young, and #12/Chelsea Gray who combined for 13 points in the period. At one point, the Sparks held an (18-9)lead. It was (23-11) with (2:57) left as Brown added to her total of (8) points, and sub, #24/Joyner Holmes, added a driving lay-up to lead by a margin of (25-13). Hamby showed a solid presence with (7) points and (3) rebounds. It was (25-15) in favor of the Sparks after their fast break closed the period.
[2nd Qtr]: Sparks guard, #25/Layshia Clarendon then hit a shot-clock, 3-point buzzer-beater for a (32-20) lead with (6:45) left in the half. Vegas then dropped in a 3-pointer to close the gap to (32-23). Then, on out of bound play, Brown, from the corner, nailed a jumper for a (34-23) score at (5:59) remaining in the 1st half. A media time-out was taken at (4:21).
When play resumed, #/Zia Cooke hit a lay in for a (36-27) score, but Vegas answered with a 3 ball. #13/CO hit a “put-back” for an 8 point spread at (38-30) at (3:41). A Vegas length of the court basket resulted in a basket for a (38-32) score. The Sparks then called a time-out with (3:11) left. A J. Young lay-up closed it to (38-34). That was countered with an “And 1” for C. Ogwumke pushing the score to (41-34) with (1:46) left. C. Ogwumike hit again on a lay-up for a (43-34) with (1:24). That was followed by more instant offense by #44/Karlie Samuelson’s long 3-pointer for a (46-34) margin. A late Las Vegas bucket would end the scoring and the half with the Sparks in front.
[HALF-TIME SCORE]: Sparks 46 Aces 36
[3rd Qtr]:Both teams used the traditional 3 point play and the 3 point shot to become even at (49-49) with (8:53) left. Vegas G/#10/Kelsey Plum hit a jumper and then #21/Jordin Canada was fouled and made 2 free throws. It was, “if you score, I score” type of basketball, and very entertaining for the crowd, but the Aces were starting to close fast. After a timed-out, CP3 was fouled while shooting and then made her free throws to trail by only eight at (51-43). After a Technical foul was assessed to th eSparks, and then made, it was (52-45). Canada made a lay-up for a (54-45) lead followed by a Plum bucket for a score of (54-47), Sparks with (6:50) remaining.
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After a successful Technical foul free throw, followed in exchange by a J.Young jump shot, the Sparks added another 3 pointer by Brown for a (57-51) lead. Still putting in her shots was C. Ogwumike who pushed it to (59-51) with (4:19) left. The Aces #22/A.Wilson contributed two more free throws and then added an “And 1” for a total of (55) points. On a missed free throw, she grabbed the board and scored on lay-up to make it (59-57) with (3:31) left. After a time-out, #0/J. Young tied the game on a lay-up at (59-59) with (2:51) left. She then hit another jumper to take the lead, but the Sparks #24/J.Holmes answered it back with her own basket, tying the game at (61-61). CP 3 came in and was fouled making both free trows for a (63-61) lead.
With (2:00) minutes left, C. Ogwumike hit for 2 and on the exchange, Young hit a jumper in the key for (65-61), Aces. C. Ogwumike made a lay-up, closing to (65-63). Chelsea Gray scored for (67-63) to end the scoring for the stanza with the Aces (67 ) and the Sparks (63).
[4th Qtr]: Las Vegas started with possession and K. Plum was quickly fouled-in the act of shooting. She made both for a (69-63) score. After making a good steal #25/Layshia Clarendon made a lay-in during a “1-on-1.” Las Vegas’ #7/Alysha Clark stepped up next to bury a 3 pointer, (72-65). After a Sparks time-out, Candace Parker, made 2 free throws and then Hamby was fouled by A. Wilson. The Aces now led (74-67) with (5:55) on the clock. Canada made a steal and scored cutting the lead to 5 at (74-69). But the Aces J. Young was unconscious on her shooting and kept pouring in points as Vegas expanded their lead with some late game confidence rising. It was now ( 77-69) Aces. Canada and Samuelson added points on their shots but couldn’t stop the Aces scoring machine in Young. It was now (82- 76) Vegas with (3:36) left. After Young and Canada traded 3-pointers, it was (85-79) with (2:40) left. Chelsea Gray’ s jumper with (1:30) left, gave the Aces a (10) point lead. From then on to the end, it was free throw time for the Aces and they made most of them, staying ahead at (90-83) with just (00:52.5) seconds left. Ogwumike made 2 free throws to make it (90-85), while Young and Wilson closed the Aces scoring with five more free throws and ended the contest with the score of (94-85).
[FINAL SCORE]: Las Vegas 94 Sparks 85
[OF SIGNIFICANCE]: The play of Chiney Ogwumike, who dropped in (17) points to go along with 9 rebounds and 2 assists. Not to forget that she took on the role of trying to guard Aja Wilson and Candace Parker while they were on the floor for the Aces. Coach Miller also increased playing time for Dearica Hamby, Karlie Samuelson, and Joyner Holmes. And they made the most of it in a good game for themselves individually, but in a losing cause. Lesson learned-Be prepared when line-ups are forced to be changed.
[TEAM UPDATE]: The Sparks traveled to Las Vegas, on Saturday, 5/27 to play in “back-to back” games against the Aces. They lost to them for the second time in-a-row, but in this game by the final score of (93-65).
[NEXT UP]: Saturday, June 3rd vs. the Seattle Storm at Crypto.comArena. Tip-off is set for 7:00 pm. and can be viewed on CBS Sports Network, Spectrum SportsNet. Please take a look at the Special HBCU Night College Fair game-day graphic promotion below.
