The Los Angeles Sparks came up short 90-86 in a gritty match against the Chicago Sky. The Sparks, however, are battling more than just their opponents.
With four players out, three of which are guards, the Sparks signed veteran guard Odyssey Sims to a seven-day hardship contract.
Sims, who helped the Sparks reach the 2017 WNBA Finals, touched down in Los Angeles at 2:00A.M. Saturday morning. Hours later, she was competing for the Sparks; Sims ultimately played for 16 minutes.
Halftime at the LA Sparks vs Chicago Sky game: Kia Nurse leads all scorers with 13 points. Kamilla Cardoso leads the Sky with 9 points
— Amanda Scurlock (@Amandtastic) August 17, 2024
“[Sims] doesn’t know one play call that we have. We’ve tried real quickly to get her up to speed but she’s a pro and I knew she could defend and she could facilitate, regardless of schematically,” said Sparks head coach Curt Miller. “We had to keep it very generic, very simple.”
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Guard Kia Nurse led the Sparks with 16 points, Olympic bronze medalist Dearica Hamby had nine rebounds and guard Crystal Dangerfield had six assists. They were three of five Sparks players who scored in the double digits.
Los Angeles held Chicago to 16 second-quarter points and had a 10-point advantage to end the fourth quarter. The Sky responded by attacking the paint, which allowed them to control the game.
“We need to get stops to be able, at times, to play in transition,” Miller said. “We played off of made baskets or dead ball situations a lot in the majority of the fourth quarter, so it takes out the whole element of playing fast.”
While Sky guard Lindsay Allen led with 16 points, rookies Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso earned double-doubles.
The Sparks landed nine three-pointers compared to the four the Sky made. Their size in the post along with speedy guards allows them to rely on close range shooting and to secure rebounds.
“We know that they are a paint team,” Dangerfield said. “We knew that they were going to pound it inside, getting inside with Chennedy (Carter), Allen all them. Offensive rebounds off free throws, Offensive rebounds off missed shots, that’s their game plan.”
Sparks forward Rickea Jackson scored 13 points; the rookie has scored in the double digits in eight of the last nine games. With the Sparks having a game the next day, they are forced to have a short memory.
“You got to move on to the next and just keep pushing,” Jackson said. “I feel like we’re up for the challenge and then we’re gonna continue to work on the things we need to work on.”
The Sparks will battle the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday at 3:00P.M.
