Los Angeles, CA – The LA Sparks returned Friday night to Crypto Arena for their second home game of the season and third matchup against Golden State Valkyries after a close road loss to Phoenix Mercury, to fall again, 82-73 for their third consecutive loss.
The Sparks trailed at the onset, with the Valkyries scoring instantly from the game tipoff, quickly taking a six point lead, before the Sparks began their rally midway thru the first quarter to tie the game, 7-7, only to go cold from the field almost three quarters until the last minutes of the game.
“I was really frustrated with the second quarter. We missed some shots that I think we were expecting to make and then that just affected our defense,” Sparks’ Coach Lynne Roberts said. “We stopped the game plan. Like we weren’t running, we weren’t moving it, we got caught trying to do too much one on one…We gotta put up a full 40 minutes together. We haven’t done it yet this season.”
The Sparks had no answer on defense in the first half for Janelle Salaün, who proved to be the game’s difference maker for Valkyries from their previous meetings, hitting back-to-back threes, leading her team’s 20-0 run. Eventually, Sparks’ Dearica Hamby scored a layup, to give her team hope and momentum into the second half, entering halftime, 49-35.
“I just do what I do consistently, just trying to bring energy,” Hambry said. “Definitely picked up the defensive energy…I want to win, so I’m willing to do whatever.”
Hambry’s will to win was not enough for her team to cut down and overcome a huge deficit as the Valkyries executed their game
plan with playing harder and more intensity that demonstrated a sense of urgency missing from the Sparks.
“I thought in the fourth quarter, we finally played with the urgency it takes to win this league,” coach Roberts said. “so credit to them. They beat us.”
By the fourth quarter, the Sparks appeared awaken from their almost three quarters of slumber to cut the Valkyries’ lead down to five. Although, it was a valiant effort from LA, especially led by Hambry’s energized play, tallying 25 points, Golden State refused to let this game slip away after building a fort tight lead to block any chance of a comeback.
Starting guard Kelsey Plum dropped 37 points in the season opener versus the Valkyries, but Golden State figured out a way to limit the guard this game with scoring 16 points, shooting 6-18 from the field and 2-10 from behind the arc. Odyssey Sims looked to be on the brink of turning a page with her current role on the team’s new chapter, scoring 13 points primarily in the first half, despite shooting 4-13. Sarah Ashlee Barker making her second start as a rookie had another rough night, having a tall task of guarding hard-nosed players like Salaun and oftentimes looking like a deer in headlights.
“From the mental aspect of it, just [have a] next-play mentality,” Barker said. “I have great coaches who believe in me, trust in me, and like Coach [Lynne Roberts] said, we play Chicago in 36 hours, so you gotta move on to the next and just be ready for the next moment.”
Both teams did not take care of the ball, particularly in second half, as the Sparks turned it over 19 times and Valkryies capitalized by scoring 22 points. LA shot just under 40% from the field and little over 70% from the free throw line in comparison to Golden State shooting over 40% and 90% from the charity stripe.
Still adjusting to early season injuries that impacted both teams’ key lineups, as the Sparks continue to play without Rickea Jackson, Rae Burrell and Cameron Brink, whom has been out since preseason while the Valkyries played without former Aces and Veteran star, Tiffany Hayes and Monique Billings.
Salaün helped Valkryies secure their biggest lead of the game after hitting her fourth triple to open the quarter and then clutch free throws to close the game, sealing the win, 83-72. Barker, Hambry and Plum all missed key scoring opportunities after reaching within scoring distance, 78- 71 that could have shifted the momentum.
The Sparks return to Crypto Arena on Sunday to host WNBA All Star Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky at 3 p.m. PT.
