LOS ANGELES - Entering a historic 15th season of WNBA basketball, in the electric atmosphere of Staples Center on opening night, fans anticipated seeing the debut of #1 draft pick Maya Moore and the return of Candice Parker. Los Angeles Sparks Candace Parker, sidelined last June with a shoulder injury, makes her return fresh off a season in Russia. Former UConn star Maya Moore can make the Minnesota Lynx a possible contender this season to go far into the playoffs.
From the opening tip, the Sparks and Lynx traded baskets like prize fighters trading blows with one another. After a nervous few minutes on the court, Minnesota’s Maya Moore hit her first shot [a 3 pointer] as an WNBA player. The Lynx began to take momentum as they pulled out to an early lead, with the Sparks turnovers and Deliosha Milton Jones’ early foul trouble. Maya Moore made a pretty scoop shot over Candace Parker, that amazed the Staples Center crowd.
The Sparks hung tough behind the aggressive play of Candace Parker. They had a balanced offensive attack, as Parker and other teammates Tina Thompson, Noelle Quinn, Natasha Lacy, and Ebony Hoffman ended the 1st quarter all tied up at 18.
Down by two points in the second quarter, Sparks rookie Jantel Lavender scored what would be her only two points of the game to tie the game at 20. The quarter belonged to Maya Moore and the Lynx as they out hustled and out shot the the Sparks taking a six point lead into half-time. Moore had 10 points for Minnesota, with the Sparks Parker lead all scorers with 13 points going into the break.
The beginning of the third quarter was not kind to the Sparks as poor shot selection and turnovers cost them dearly. As a result, Minnesota capitalized building a 10 point lead over Los Angeles with the sharp shooting of Maya Moore and court vision of Taj McWilliams-Franklin. The Sparks looked down right flat with no answer. After a much needed time out, the Sparks looked rejuvenated and more focused on the task at hand, winning the game.
Down 57-51, the Sparks Jenna O’Hea lead the comeback by hitting two big 3 pointers that starting an 8-0 run capped by a Candace Parker put back giving the Sparks the one point lead going into the fourth quarter.
Despite the lights out shooting of Maya Moore, the Sparks never looked back. Candace Parker was determined to get the first win in her house along with the Sparks bench who played incredible down the stretch. Veteran Tina Thompson was sensational at the free throw line, finishing the game 5/10 ,15 points, 4 rebounds. Moore guarded Parker a few times, yet we never really saw the match up between Parker guarding Moore.
The Sparks held on behind the brilliant play of Candace Parker, who had a double-double, 19 points, and 10 rebounds to win their first game of the season 82-74 spoiling the debut of Maya Moore.
“We didn't want her [Parker] to get into foul trouble, so we made sure Tina [Thompson], and other players guarded Maya” Coach Gillom responded, when asked why didn't we see more of Candace guarding Maya tonight.
I also spoke with Maya Moore and asked her how it felt to be on a WNBA court for the first time, she answered “ It was fun, it was a great experience, the environment was intense the crowd was great. It helps when you make your shots. Besides the loss, I thought it was great.” Moore was 7/17 from the field finishing with 21 points 4 assist and 4 rebounds.
On the other side of the ball, in the victory Sparks forward Candace Parker spoke about the comeback in the 3rd quarter “I think the 3rd quarter was important for us, we never stopped believing, we needed to lock down on defense and knock down shots and we did that. Our bench is what saved us, and won us this game”. I also asked about Maya Moore’s debut “I think she’s a phenomenal player, she’ll have long wonderful career in this league.”
The Sparks were 7/14 from 3-point range in the second half and never trailed in the fourth quarter.
The Lynx shot just 36 percent, while the Sparks made 53 percent of their shots.
The impact of Candace Parker was welcomed by not only teammates and coaches but also by the 13,589 at Staples Center and fans nationwide who witnessed the LA Sparks victory who are now 1-0, treating the fans to an impressive and intense basketball game.
Parker vs. Moore, round I goes to Parker tonight. Round II will be on Sunday, in Minnesota, as Maya Moore has an opportunity for redemption.
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