(East Los Angeles, CA) May 10, 2022 [From The Editor’s Desk]: The Los Angeles Sparks have shown their forever loving fan-base, their attracted new followers, and the WNBA in its entirety that they have moved their franchise back into top-flight positioning as a strong contender to reach the post-season and compete in its new “playoff” format for another Title.

Strong evidence for that goal comes by way of their 2022 “Road” victory #2 against the Indiana Fever last Sunday, as the Sparks distanced themselves in the second half with a convincing power “run” to victory, winning by the final score of (87-77).  

Sparks fans were treated to this televised game that featured its new Center position-play of one of the premiere players in the Association, #1/Liz “The Tower of Power” Cambage, (6-9), getting credit for her first “double-double” as a Sparks co-franchise player along with the 11-year veteran, MVP, power-forward, #30/Nneka Ogwumike, (6-2). This pair has given notice that when they are on the floor for long stretches of time, they are a powerful “1-2” blow that can deliver “knock-out” punches in bunches. Add on #15/Brittney “Slim” Sykes, (5-9), the 2-guard and “super-glue” additive to the starting line-up as well. Continue with the emergence of their solid and youthful point guard, #21/Jordin Canada, (5-6), to make this the fearsome foursome. Not to be overlooked, you have the younger half of the dynamic “Sister-Sister” combo with #13/c-f/Cheney Ogwumike, (6-3). Add it all up and that is the one of the finest quintets you will find in today’s WNBA.

During this past offseason, GM/Head Coach, Derek Fisher, has done very well for the franchise, the team, and the Sparks fan-base with his off-season, near-genius transactions and now we will get to see this team in full synchronization as the season moves into Week #2. This leads to the team bench and the contributions they’ll be making on a regular basis as well. First, there is the young third year veteran and Sparks newcomer, #7/Chennedy “Coast-to-Coast” Carter (5-9), then forward #40/Jasmine Walker, (6-3), who can also be a starter, followed by #4/guard, Lexi “Downtown” Brown (5-9). Rookie forward, #25/Amy Atwell (6-0) will prove to be yet another 3-point specialist with the golden touch. Then there is the team’s first round draft pick, #12/g-f/Rae Burrell (6-2), who will be counted upon very highly for her contributions. To round out the present roster, Rookie #10/center/Olivia Nelson-Ododa (6-5) did not make this first road trip due to a hip injury. No doubt, her presence will be very welcomed and appreciated by all.

(Note Of Game Signifcance): The most positive and glaring stat that may, or may not officially be kept, or for that matter, spoken about that much is this…the total number of team players who scored in double figures per game and resulted in “Wins”. Who knows, this could be a starting point. In this game vs. the Fever, it was (5). In game one, against the Chicago Sky, it was also (5). Hence, we make the reference in our headline, that “caring is sharing” is a good formula for winning, no matter what the sport is.

(FINAL SCORE):  Los Angeles Sparks  87   Indiana Fever  77

(ATTENDNCE):  1,456

Let’s now take a look at the game highlights as offered by the team’s Public Relations Department.

• Player Notes
  • Brittney Sykes finished with (17) points, (4) rebounds, (2) assists and (5) steals. The five steals account for her (5th) career game with (5-or-more) in the category.
  • Per Across the Timeline, Sykes now has (9) steals through two games, the most in the first (2) games for a Sparks player in franchise history.
  • Liz Cambage registered (22) points and (11) rebounds, her first (20/10) game in a Sparks uniform (20th career). She shot (8-of-11) from the floor and went a perfect (6-of-6) from the free throw line.
  • Chennedy Carter added (12) points off the bench, (5)  assists and a career-high (2) blocks in (21:19) minutes of action.
  • Chiney Ogwumike grabbed (9) boards off the bench along with (6) points. Her most rebounds since she grabbed (10) on Sept. 3, 2019 vs Atlanta.
• Team Notes
  • The Sparks outscored the Fever in points in the paint (58-30) and second chance points (13-5).
  • Led by Sykes’ (5) steals the Sparks were credited with  (15) steals, bringing their two-game total to (34) steals. Los Angeles led the league in the category during the 2021 season.
  • Los Angeles pulled down a season-high (41) rebounds. Last season the Sparks’ season high in the category was 41 rebounds.
    

    ---

(NEXT UP): Atlanta Dream, Wednesday, May 11th at 4:00 pm | PT. To Watch: SpectrumSportsNet