Los Angeles, CA – The Los Angeles Sparks keep it rollin’ defeating the Atlanta Dream 85-78 on Sparky’s Birthday. A great gift while protecting home court.
A balance team win with four players for the Sparks scoring in double figures. Chiney Ogwumike scored 15 points, 7 rebounds to be a great one-two punch.
“Slowly but surely, we are finding our identity,” said C. Ogwumike.
The dream kept the game exciting in second half breaking the Sparks 10-point cushion cutting the lead to 4 points. The Sparks lead by N. Ogwumike dropping 20 points to follow up Tuesday night 35-point night.
A very physical game, it seemed like bodies were hitting the ground constantly for both teams. With 2:20 left in the game Dream forward Tiffany Hayes had to be assisted off the court with unknown injury lipping back to the training room.
Dream coach Tanisha Wright stuck to her rotation to keep her players fresh only having 10 players suited up for the game.
The Sparks jumped out to an earlier first quarter 10-point lead 26-16. Chennedy “Hollywood” Carter gave great energy of the bench with a quick 5 points and a conventional three-point play from the line after a foul.
“Big spark for us today and getting to the rim (Chennedy Carter),” said coach Fred Williams, “I was very pleased with her play tonight.”
To start off the second quarter Lexi Brown dropped a three-pointer to keep the momentum with the Sparks and build on 29-18 lead.
The earlier start time was for a special annual summer camp campers to see the WNBA players play. The Los Angeles Sparks also celebrate their mascot Sparky birthday, who knows how old he is dog years?
“We have so many cool kids here tonight,” said C. Ogwumike
The WNBA 1st pick of the 2022 draft Atlanta Dream Rhyne Howard who averaging 15.1 points per game as a rookie.
The Dream are currently resting in 6th place in the league coming down the stretch for a good playoff position. They were on a two-game winning streak coming into today’s game.
They will have to rebound after today’s lose and travel to Seattle to play Sunday July 24th.
The Sparks now will travel to Las Vegas to play the Aces and try to steal a road win. The Sparks record is now 12-14 one step closer to .500.
