The Los Angeles Sparks started their season with a 92-81 home loss against the Atlanta Dream in front of a packed house at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach.
The Sparks were in the game until a 9-0 run to start the fourth quarter, which resulted in the Dream separating themselves, securing the lead, and winning the game.
Despite the loss, LA performed well. Layshia Clarendon had her first triple-double of her career with 11 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds. Kia Nurse led the team with 23 points and five 3-pointers. Dearica Hamby had a double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds. LA’s star rookies performed well, with Cameron Brink starting, scoring 11 points and rejecting two shots. Rickea Jackson scored seven points from off the bench.
The defeat was disappointing but not discouraging, as the team wasn’t far from winning. However, things only get harder from here as the Sparks hit the road to face the Las Vegas Aces this weekend.
In the opening quarter, Nurse got going immediately, scoring seven points, and Los Angeles was off to a strong start. The bench struggled, ending the quarter with zero points, but everything was even at 26 points after 10 minutes of play. The rest of the first half demonstrated this team’s strengths and weaknesses. The Sparks were able…
