LOS ANGELES — After missing the playoffs for two consecutive seasons with a combined 25-43 overall record, the new-look Sparks have something to prove. The Sparks have an experienced, yet new, head coach in Curt Miller, who comes to Los Angeles after leading Connecticut to the 2022 WNBA Finals.
“It’s a delicate balance,” Miller began. “Obviously, we would love to start out of the gate well, but it’s a long season and we have to continue to work on our pillars and get in our playbook. It is really difficult when you are starting brand new, putting in a whole system and not just incorporating a few players, you’re literally starting from scratch and training camps go so quickly at this level.”
After less than three weeks of training camp, the Sparks will tip off the season against Phoenix at 8 p.m. Friday at Crypto.com Arena. It will be an emotional game, marking Mercury star Brittney Griner’s first game after being arrested and detained on drug-related charges in Russia and missing all of last season.
Rookie guard Zia Cooke, who was selected 10th overall by the Sparks in April’s WNBA draft, is excited to welcome Griner back to the WNBA while remaining focused on helping her team win its opener.
“Of course, we’re going to be celebrating BG as well, but when it’s time to play, it’s time to play,” said Cooke. “I love when the atmosphere is great and I think it’s going to be a great home opener for us.”
Three forwards will be asked to be scorers, rebounders and post facilitators in Miller’s inside-outside, angle-based offense. Sparks star Nneka Ogwumike, who averaged team highs of 18.1 points and 6.6 rebounds in 31.4 minutes per game last season, will look to continue to play at an All-WNBA level. Younger sister Chiney Ogwumike is also back after averaging 7.0 points and 5.5 rebounds in a limited role last season. Dearica Hamby, who was acquired from Las Vegas, has returned to preseason action and is available to play after…
Read the full article here