(East Los Angeles,CA) June 28, 2022 [From The Editor’s Desk -*Previously Scheduled Game]: It was “Pride Night” on June 23rd at the Sparks sixth home game of the season and it featured the reigning WNBA Champion, Chicago Sky” with Candace “CP3” Parker making her return visit to Los Angeles and her first official appearance in Crypto.com Arena.
The biggest crowd of the season, some 5,000+, was on hand to support their team, but it was all Candace Parker for much of the contest as she put-up an incredible “Triple-Double” performance with a game high (10) points, (14) rebounds and (10) assists, and not to mention (2) blocked shots. Although Candace played as an opponent, there was still “much love” shown to her, and vice versa, even after the game was over. She stayed on the floor for at least 5 minutes as she found some old friends who remained to see her, even if it were briefly.
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Photo Gallery]; Erik Sarni, East L.A. Sports Scene Productions, LLC & EastLASportsScene.Com
(Game Recap): Briefly described, this was all “Sky” for each and every quarter. The 1st period ended with a (27-12) lead, followed by a Halftime score of Sky (54), Sparks (25). The third quarter ended with the score (71) to (47) for the Sky. The final period of play saw Chicago, with its very deep roster, put up another (11) to end the game with the final score of the Chicago Sky (82), L.A. Sparks (59). The Sky moved to a solid (12-5) overall record, while the Sparks remained saddled with an under .500 record of (6-10).
Basically, this was one of the worst defeats of the season and as part of the schedule, it had to be played. The Sky came in as the favorite, and the Sparks did the best they could under the circumstances that were nagging the team at this point in the season.
Needless to say, the new Interim Coach, Fred Williams, will have his work cut-out for him and with his coaching record, and 25 years of coaching the women’s game, he will not be one to disappoint his team, nor the fans that are still strongly supportive of their team.
Remember, the month of July should see a dramatic turnaround in the team’s play, as well as a more respectable record, and a competitive rise in the WNBA standings.
(Game Highlights)
Los Angeles Sparks:
● Two Sparks players scored in double-digits; Nneka Ogwumike (15) and Brittney Sykes (13)
● Nneka Ogwumike tallied 15 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, marking her ninth consecutive game scoring in double figures and her thirteenth 15+ point game of the season.
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● Kristi Toliver recorded 6 assists and 3 rebounds after setting a season high of 5 assists on June 21 against the Washington Mystics.
● Olivia Nelson-Ododa registered a career high of 6 rebounds and recorded her first two career steals along with 2 blocks.
Chicago Sky:
● Five Sky players scored in double-digits; Courtney Vandersloot (15), Azura Stevens (15), Emma Messeman (11), Candace Parker (10), and Rebekah Gardner (10).
● Candace Parker recorded her second “triple-double” of the season finishing the night with 10 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists. She is the only WNBA player this season to record two triple-doubles.
The Sparks traveled to play the Seattle Storm on Saturday, June 25th, for their next game. They came back on Monday, June 27th to take on the Las Vegas Aces.