By DJ Tricey Trice
The Los Angeles Sparks are off to a promising start this preseason, showcasing a resilient and competitive spirit against experienced WNBA rosters. Despite facing teams loaded with veterans, the Sparks have ignited offensive momentum, underscoring that effort transcends the scoreboard, especially in games that “don’t count.”
The Sparks demonstrated their potential in their preseason debut against the Seattle Storm. The game marked significant milestones: Skylar Diggins-Smith’s return to the court and Nneka Ogwumike’s first appearance in Seattle since leaving the Sparks. Leading the charge was Dearica Hamby, who recorded 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists. The Sparks kept pace with the Storm and dominated the boards, pulling down 42 rebounds to Seattle’s 19, embodying the scrappy gameplay Coach Curt Miller emphasized on Media Day.
The narrative continued in their second matchup against the Phoenix Mercury. Hamby again led the scoring with 21 points, supplemented by 7 rebounds and 3 assists. The team maintained their rebounding dominance with another 42 rebounds, contrasting the Mercury’s 20.
This season, the Sparks are leaning into a gritty, uptempo style of play, relying heavily on both the starting lineup and the bench to out-hustle their opponents. The rookies have been particularly impressive, stepping up as elite scorers. This aggressive approach has enabled the Sparks to set a strong tone for the upcoming season.
However, with the new team dynamics, there are areas for improvement. The Sparks have struggled with turnovers, recording 23 and 21 in their games against Seattle and Phoenix, respectively. As the team continues to gel, reducing these turnovers will be crucial for turning preseason promise into regular-season success.
As the Sparks fine-tune their play, the WNBA should take note. With their blend of veteran savvy and rookie vigor, the Sparks are not just participating; they’re poised to make an impact.
