TORRANCE — The Sparks spent the majority of Friday’s practice at El Camino College reliving Thursday night’s 35-point home loss to the New York Liberty.
It was an hour-long film session, during which coaches pointed out a lack of effort from tipoff, identified poor communication and execution errors throughout that cost the Sparks dearly against the team with the best record in the WNBA.
“The message also was you’re always auditioning,” Sparks coach Curt Miller said after the team’s lengthy film session pushed back the start of on-court practice. “You’re auditioning for your job here. You’re auditioning in front of other coaches and GMs around the league. You’re always auditioning. It’s not only individually but are you a good teammate or are you doing team stuff that helps cultures win … we reminded them that this is your job. You’re always auditioning not only with your current employers but potentially other employers and basically what that message is keep growing.”
The 103-68 defeat at the hands of the Liberty (22-4) was the team’s worst loss of the season for the Sparks (6-19).
“Just effort. That was embarrassing. I think we all can say that and admit that,” said Sparks forward Dearica Hamby, a three-time All-Star who just won an Olympic bronze medal in 3×3 basketball in Paris. “We just didn’t play hard at all. We weren’t locked in and focused from the moment we got to the gym.
“It’s sitting in my stomach still honestly. I didn’t sleep well. I still don’t feel well about it. It’s not something we’re proud of but it’s kind of one of those things that coming from (Olympic) break it can go either way. Some people come back and they’re on fire and some people you’re like oh yeah you can tell they’ve been on a month break. Even though the girls were here working hard, it’s still just a different ball game.”
Sparks guard Kia Nurse echoed those sentiments.
“It was just not a good game,” said Nurse, who played for Canada during the Olympic break. “We didn’t play well on either side of the ball. Defensively, especially and our transition defense wasn’t good. It wasn’t up to our standards and we know that and we know that we need to better … you have to flip the switch but learn from it at the same time.”
However, the great thing about the WNBA during the regular season is there’s usually another opportunity just around the corner for redemption.
“Obviously, losing is hard on anyone but I think we’re doing a good job from the coaching staff to the players of trying to stay focused one game at a time and in small segments,” Miller said. “It’s truly a build and were trying to get better.”
The Sparks will host All-Star rookie forward Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky (10-15) on Saturday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. The game is expected to be the team’s second sellout of the season. The first was All-Star rookie guard Caitlin Clark’s first and only visit to Los Angeles this season on May 24.
The Sparks are 0-1 against the Sky this season, dropping an 83-73 decision in Chicago on May 30. Hamby had 24 points and 13 rebounds in that matchup but former Spark Marina Mabrey’s six 3-pointers led the Sky to victory. Mabrey has since been traded to the Connecticut Sun, which has re-focused the Sky’s roster around rookies Reese, 6-foot-7 center Kamilla Cardoso and former Sparks guard Chennedy Carter, who is averaging a team-high 17.2 points per game.
“We match up well with them,” Hamby said when asked about the Sky. “We didn’t like when they beat us the first time at their place, but we obviously have Azurá (Stevens) now. I think it’s a good opportunity for us to at least show up better.”
At this point in the season, Hamby said the Sparks’ struggles have been frustrating not surprising.
“We kind of knew what we were going into this year,” Hamby shared. “I personally didn’t think that we would be as bad as we’ve shown but at the end of the day, it’s the reality of the situation. We know we’re kind of rebuilding and we lost (rookie) Cam (Brink to an torn ACL injury).
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“I don’t think we’ve had a healthy roster (all season). While we want to show up better and put a better product on the floor, I don’t think we are super like ‘this is the end of the world’ because we understood going into the season what it could look like.”
The Sparks signed point guard Crystal Dangerfield to a third seven-day contract, and she could continue to see playing time. Dangerfield, the 2020 WNBA Rookie of the Year, has played for six of the league’s 12 teams in less than five seasons.
After Saturday’s game, the Sparks will begin a four-game road trip with games against the Las Vegas Aces (Sunday), Connecticut Sun (Tuesday, in Boston), Washington Mystics (Aug. 23) and Dallas Wings (Aug. 25).
SKY (10-15) AT SPARKS (6-19)
When: Saturday, 2 p.m.
Where: Crypto.com Arena
TV: Spectrum SportsNet
LA Sparks coach Curt Miller said one his takeaways message for his players after a 35-point loss at home to the New York Liberty Thursday, was that they are always auditioning for their current and future jobs in the WNBA. Miller expects a better effort against the Sky Saturday. pic.twitter.com/zJ3jt974Se
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) August 16, 2024
Dearica Hamby said the Sparks’ 35-point loss to the New York Liberty was embarrassing but she thinks playing the Chicago Sky on Saturday is an opportunity to show up better. Hamby told me she knew what this season could look like but she didn’t think the Sparks would be 6-19. pic.twitter.com/UM3MNJ76WW
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) August 16, 2024
Kia Nurse on coming back from the Olympic break and how the LA Sparks can respond after a 103-68 loss at home to the New York Liberty. Sparks will host Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky on Saturday afternoon. pic.twitter.com/Iv54kvo8j3
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) August 16, 2024
