The LA Sparks opened the 2023 season with back-to-back games against the Phoenix Mercury, and neither team could have predicted the season that they’ve had. Both teams have been plagued with injuries and hardship players. When I spoke with Coach Kurt Miller in the pre-game interview, he mentioned that though the Sparks have found some regularity in their lineup, they still see every game as a challenge. Once we discovered that Mercury All-Stars Diana Taurasi and Brittney Grinner weren’t playing, it would seem like this would be an easy game for the Sparks, but Kurt explained that The Sparks weren’t out of the woods because their start players missed the road trip.
When I asked Coach Miller and players Zia Cooke and Layshia Clarendon about their plans to score outside of the paint this game, they both stated that efficiency would be the key to winning.
Here are my highlight notes from the game:
1st Quarter
- The Mercury are currently 11th in the WNBA with a record of 9-23
- The Sparks are currently 8th in the WNBA with a record of 13-18
- Michaela Onyernwere (Mercury) played 4-5 possessions without her shoe
- The Sparks outscored the Mercury in the paint 12-6
- Karlie Samuelson shot 100% from 3-point range
- The largest lead was 15 pts, held by the Sparks
2nd Quarter
- Sophie Cuningham led the team in scoring with 11pts & 4 Assists
- Azura Stevens continued to lead the Sparks in Scoring and defense
- The Mercury held the Sparks to 17pts in the 2nd Quarter (Versus 30pts in the 1st Quarter)
3rd Quarter
- The Sparks outscored the Mercury 21-14
- Jordin Canada hit a clutch 3-point FG with a foul shot opportunity
- Sophie Cunningham continued to lead the Mercury in scoring and defensive play
- Zia Cooke, Jasmine Thomas, and Evina Westbrook played more time because of the large lead
4th Quarter
- The Sparks outscored the Mercury 26-18 in the quarter
- Zia Cooke scored 9 points in the Quarter
- Jasmine Thomas scored 5 points in the Quarter
It is clear that Coach Kurt Millers’ game film sessions are positively impacting the outcome for the LA Sparks, who shot 54% from the floor and 58.8% from the 3-point line. Improved shot selection, Layshia Clarendon being back from injury, and Azura Stevens moving back to her natural four position have been the remedy for the LA Sparks misfortune as they hit the road to Altanta on a 5 game-winning streak.
