LOS ANGELES — The Sparks knockoff the defending champion, Las Vegas Aces 96-92 before heading on the road for nearly a month. This win gave the Sparks their second straight win as they head to play the Seattle Storm for the first game of their seven-game road trip tonight. The Sparks are now 4-7 after picking up their biggest victory of the season.
With a quarter of the season done here are some takeaways from what I’ve seen so far.
Turnovers and bad point guard play has plagued the team
The Sparks have had their struggles so far this year and one of the key reasons is turnovers. Los Angeles averages the most turnovers in the WNBA with 16.6 per game. The Sparks have 6 games with 16 or more turnovers in a game. The team turned the ball over 28 times against the Mystics earlier this season.
When you look at the turnovers it places most eyes on the players who handle the ball most: the point guard position. Coming into the season, Layshia Clarendon was awarded the starting point guard spot. She started the season with her first career triple-double against the Atlanta Dream but struggle the next few games before suffering a concussion that forced her to miss three games. Her return and solid play at that spot has helped the team who leaned heavy on shooting guard Lexie Brown to take the role. Brown didn’t perform well in the spot and it took away her scoring opportunities off the ball where she is best. In the last two games Los Angeles has asked more this offseason pickup, Aari McDonald. McDonald seems to finding her role with the team and the more consistent minutes is leading to some good play. Clarendon is more of a true floor general for the Sparks and McDonald brings more of a “spark” and tempo to the team when she is in and the balance has worked well the past couple games.
With the return of Clarendon and the solid play of McDonald the point guard position could now be a possible plus for this young Sparks team.
The rookies have shown highs and lows
The Sparks drafted two of the top players in the 2024 WNBA Draft with Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson. Both rookies has had their moments throughout the season so far that have show the Sparks organization their bright futures.
Brink, the second overall pick from Stanford has shown her dominance on the defensive end for Los Angeles early. Brink’s is second in the league averaging 2.8 blocks per game and averages one steal as well. She has also shown some offensive potential with a 20-point game against Dallas on May 26th and recorded her first career double-double last Friday in another matchup with Dallas. Her issues continue to be with foul trouble. This was an issues she had in college and it has carried over. She averages 4.5 fouls per game. She is a great positive when she is on the floor with her defense and versatility on offense but has to find a way to stay on the floor.
Jackson, the fourth overall pick from the University of Tennessee, she has shown that she may actually be the best rookie on the team at this moment. Jackson, is averaging 9.6 points and 3.6 rebounds. She started the season coming off the bench but now has found herself in the starting lineup. She is coming off of a game against the Aces where she finished with 16 points, five rebounds and one block. She scored seven of her 16 points in the fourth quarter to knock of the defending champs. The former Lady Vol has scored in double figures in 5 of the team’s 11 games. She has had moments of trying to figure things out with her being asked to play so many types of roles but she seems to be finding her way.
Dearica Hamby is having the best start to a season of her career
Hamby has been the biggest bright spot for the Sparks this season. She is playing some of the best basketball of her career. Hamby is averaging 20.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.7 steals in the first 11 games. The former two-time Six Woman of the year has recorded a double-double in nine out of 11 games. She is top five in scoring and rebounding in the W. Her improved footwork around the basket along with much improved outside shooting has opened up a lot of her game offensively. Coach Curt Miller has leaned on Hamby early and often with her playing 36.2 minutes per game.
Her offseason work is paying off and should lead to another All Star bid and possibly her first ever MVP votes of her career. Hamby’s play and leadership has inspired her young teammates who only has positive things to say about her on & off the court. She was just named the WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week for the first time of her career and she may add a couple more before the year ends.
