The Los Angeles Sparks discovered the correct of rhythm previous to the quick WNBA All-Star break, and they are going to be trying to preserve that once they go to the Washington Mystics on Tuesday.
Will probably be a rematch of the newest recreation for every workforce. The Sparks blew out visiting Washington 99-80 final Tuesday within the ultimate recreation for the groups earlier than the hiatus. Three Los Angeles gamers reached the 20-point mark within the recreation, led by Dearica Hamby’s 26.
“I believe we’re beginning to determine it out, and being wholesome helps,” Sparks coach Lynne Roberts stated.
Mystics coach Sydney Johnson stated he noticed room for enchancment from his membership.
“They uncovered just a little little bit of our weaknesses,” Johnson stated. “There are some issues I might help our gamers with to assist us play higher.”
Defensive breakdowns within the first assembly will should be addressed, Johnson stated. The Mystics (11-11) will goal to get again on monitor after their three-game successful streak was snapped in Los Angeles.
“They’re an awesome frontcourt, versatile,” stated forward-center Shakira Austin, who led Washington with 16 factors towards the Sparks. “They have been just a little extra bodily. Now we have to cease being the much less bodily workforce.”
The Sparks (8-14) are bracing for a special method from the Mystics.
“They are going to come at us otherwise,” stated Kelsey Plum, who leads the Sparks in scoring with 20.1 factors per recreation. “We all know that, so simply be ready for that.”
The Sparks are nonetheless adjusting underneath Roberts. She is in her first season on the Los Angeles bench after being employed to switch the fired Curt Miller.
“It is simply time collectively and within the system and it takes a minute,” Roberts stated. “We simply bought to maintain our foot on the gasoline as a bunch.”
A key contributor for Los Angeles has been Julie Allemand, who dished out 10 assists final week towards Washington. The Sparks have been plus-22 with Allemand on the court docket, although she scored solely three factors in 32 minutes.
“That is onerous to do,” Roberts stated of the plus-minus ratio. “Her worth can’t be unspoken.”
Brittney Sykes is Washington’s prime scorer at 17.1 factors per recreation, and she or he was added as an damage alternative for the All-Star Recreation. Rookie teammates Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen additionally represented the Mystics on the All-Star Recreation.
“They’re checking a number of bins,” Johnson stated of his workforce. “They’re working. They’re getting higher. There’s humility.”
Mystics guard Sug Sutton stated the primary half of the season was a stretch of attending to know one another.
“We nonetheless have one other 22 video games,” Sutton stated. “I believe we have been doing good, holding one another accountable.”
–Area Stage Media
