Los Angeles, CA – Another WNBA Season has officially started with the defending Champions the Los Angeles Sparks winning their first game at Staples 78-68 over the Seattle Storm.
Before tipoff the team and the fans counted down the unveiling of last year Championship banner at top west end of the arena. A large roar from the crowd when the black curtain dropped with owner Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant standing courtside.
2016 MVP Nneka Ogwumike willed her team to victory scoring 23 points, 3 steals, and 3 assists in 37 minutes of play.
Seattle’s Jewell Loyd lead her team with 25 points, along with Ramu Tokashiki with 14 points and 4 rebounds.
You could tell this was the opening game of the season with missed opportunities and turnovers by both teams. Seattle was able to keep this game close scoring 29 points off Sparks turnovers.
The Sparks who only shot 46% from the field, got a big boost from reserve guard Odyssey Sims who dropped 20 points. Sims new to the Sparks this year looks to be a great addition to the team thus far.
This game could have went either way with eight different lead changes, it wasn’t until the 4th quarter that the Sparks held their biggest lead of the game which was 10 points.
Los Angeles Sparks head coach Brian Agler made some moves in off season to bring in some more aggressive guards with quick hands. As a team they had 14 steals in the game which was huge leading to seven fast break points and few more possessions.
The team will have few days off before their next game on Friday, May 19 which will be the night team receives their 2016 WNBA Championship rings. Candace Parker and Jantel Lavender are expected to be back for this game.
