LOS ANGELES — “Every time we put on the uniform as a group we want to win.” Los Angeles Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts said to the media ahead of the Sparks hosting the Golden State Valkyries. “ And I don’t care where we stand, I know it’s a small chance, but we still can make the playoffs if things fall right.”
When the buzzer at the end of the 4th quarter went off, the scoreboard read 84-78, and the Valkyries walked off the court at Crypto.com victorious. Unfortunately for the Sparks they are not one win closer to securing a playoff spot after this game. Rather the team from northern California came over to the City of Angels and continued to show why they're ranked number two in the league.
From tip off the Valkyries played with composure and cohesiveness as they sprung to a sizable lead when they created a 20-7 deficit off of a made 3-pointer from forward Cecilia Zandalasini in the first quarter. This comfort lasted for the Valkyries for the first three quarters, it was in the 4th quarter when they had to watch their backs.
It is safe to say that the Sparks are in a rough patch, as they have fallen short in eight of their last ten games. After this Sunday loss, they had their heads held high knowing they fought until the end, because they did.
“I think today was kind of more of a mind over matter type of day,” Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike expressed following the game. Ogwumike who leads her team in points with 17.1 and rebounds with 8.8, spoke to it coming down to the small things, as well as having to pay close attention to the details.
The fight that the team in purple and gold exhibited was special, and it was something that Ogwumike was proud of, “I am happy that we didn’t just acquiesce, you know, to the results of the first quarter.”
By the final minutes of the battle, the Los Angeles squad had the arena on the edge of their seats if not on their feet. Not only did the Valkyries blow a 19 point lead, but the Sparks crawled back and outscored them in the final quarter of the game 31-20. When Rea Burrell made a driving lay up to cut the Valkyries lead to 10, then the very next Sparks possession Sparks guard Erica Wheeler knocked down a 16 foot jump shot. This moment from Wheeler put L.A. only eight points behind Golden State, along with sparking a feeling of hope across everyone in attendance.
“I said in the locker room, I was like yeah the results are not what we want, but we fought like hell out there.” Wheeler proceeded to add, "I just think that we just need to continue this momentum and play together and stay connected…. And I think we just need to start how we played that fourth quarter.”
The Sparks have an undeniably talented roster, but it’s things like not getting frustrated that coach Robert’s mentioned in reference to sharp shooter 26 year old guard Rae Burrell, who was being guarded by the Valkyries best.
Los Angeles finds themselves in a situation where change is prevalent. Burrell is now in a starting role which has not always been the case, and WNBA star veteran Kelsey Plum was traded away at the start of August. This begs the question, what is left for the Sparks to figure out to get them over the hump?