LOS ANGELES — The Dearica Hamby-led Sparks are gearing up for the team’s longest road trip of the season, which begins at the Seattle Storm on Tuesday, while settling into the rhythm of playing nine games in 18 days.
The seven-game road trip starts with Sparks’ first regular season affair against former franchise player Nneka Ogwumike, who signed with Seattle during free agency. Ogwumike’s 12 years with the Sparks were highlighted by a 2016 WNBA MVP season that ended with the Sparks’ only league title since winning back-to-back in 2001 and 2002.
The 2024 edition of the Sparks is off to an inconsistent start with a 4-7 overall record. However, confidence is growing as they carry a two-game winning streak, including a rousing 96-92 comeback win at home against the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday. Hamby, who won the 2021 WNBA title with the Aces, led the Sparks with 18 points, 10 rebounds and five assists against her former team, securing her ninth double-double in 11 games.
According to Sparks coach Curt Miller, Hamby, who made the All-Star team in 2021 and 2022, should be a lock for her third All-Star team in four seasons in his professional opinion.
“Dearica is leading both by example but also verbally,” Miller said. “Again, she has to be an All-Star. There has to be articles as we creep towards the Olympic break that she has to be an All-Star. … She just continues to keep carrying us as our leader and it’s her motor, (which has) always been special in this league. No one has ever denied that but it’s her confidence right now that’s really special. I couldn’t be more proud to be partnered with Dearica right now in what she’s doing leading this squad.”
The Sparks have found success by outrebounding the Aces and Wings by 36-23 and 36-35 margins, respectively. Sparks topped the Aces 20-6 in second-chance points.
“We want to be a physical team,” Hamby said. “We want to be known that we’re tough and that we don’t back down so a good game just to set the tempo for that going on this long road trip.”
Guard Aari McDonald’s steal and finish in the first quarter (16 points), Lexie Brown (9 points) and Rae Burrell (7 points) were all offensive sparks off the bench, which outscored the Aces by a 40-17 margin. Rookie forward Rickea Jackson, who entered the starting lineup two weeks into the season, had a career-high 16 points, including several clutch baskets down the stretch in the fourth quarter.
Seattle (7-4) has four All-Stars averaging double figures in scoring: Jewell Loyd (20.3 and 6.5 rebounds); Ogwumike (17.3 points and 7.6 rebounds); Skylar Diggins-Smith (14.5 points and 5.7 assists) and Ezi Magbegor (13.6 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3 blocked shots).
After Tuesday’s game at Seattle, the Sparks will charter across the contiguous United States and play road games at Minnesota (June 14), Atlanta (June 16), Connecticut (June 18), New York (June 20, 22) with a (much appreciated) five-day break before finishing up at Phoenix on June 28.
SPARKS (4-7) AT SEATTLE (7-4)
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle
TV: Spectrum SportsNet
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