The city of Los Angeles is accustomed to "June Gloom", low cloud days with filtered late afternoon sunshine. June was a gloom month for the LA Sparks as the team suffered seven straight games without a win. After being on the road for a three game east coast trip, the Sparks returned home to start a three game home stand in the first five days of July at Staples Center.
The Sparks play eleven games during the month of July. Add the seven games in June, a total of 17 which is half of the WNBA season of 34 games. You don't have to be a mathematician to know the Sparks would have to pick up the pace in order to stay in contention for the playoffs. Only the top four teams make the playoffs from each division
July is already a fan favorite month, as the LA Sparks' fans witnessed their team win for the first time in 320 days running past the San Antonio Stars 86-81 at Staples Center. The victory against the San Antonio Stars didn't change the standings, but the victory gave the players and fans validation that the season is still young and the Sparks have enough pieces to bring a WNBA Championship to the City of Angels.
Nneka Ogwumike, was the game high scorer with 27 points. Her teammate, Jantel Lavender showed off with another double-double, 21 points and 10 rebounds. Kristi Toliver coming off a career high 30 points against the Liberty finished with 15. It was the first game of the season, the Sparks had a full roster on hand to play! The LA Sparks shot 91% from the free throw line making 21-23.
The Stars were led by Dearica Hamby's 19 points and Sophia Young-Malcolm's 18 points. The Stars drop to 2-8, one and half game ahead of the Sparks at 1-7 who get ready for their first back to back game of the season when they face the Tulsa Shock at another 7:30 p.m. tip off tomorrow night, July 3 at Staples Center.