The Los Angeles Sparks have been treading on thin ice, since the last buzzer beater victory gift given by Kristi Toliver against the inferior Tulsa Shock. The hero this time was none other than the Rookie Of The Month and #1 draft pick Nneka Ogwumike.
The Sparks started off slow as the Player Of The Month Candace Parker had nine points that included a 3 pointer at the end of the 1st quarter that gave the Sparks the narrow 16-15 lead over the Seattle Storm. As Coach Carol Ross continued with nifty rotations in the second quarter, the Storm's Katie Smith was on fire, as she made her third 3 pointer in the quarter right before the half that gave the Storm the tight 34-32 lead.
The Sparks defense dwindled in the second quarter along with their intensity, and halftime adjustments had to be made especially with them being held to a dismal 34 percent shooting in the first half.
In the third quarter, as the Storm looked to improve upon their first half performance, Sparks' Nneka Ogwumike 's shot selection improved. Kristi Toliver was aggressive and converted at the foul line and created opportunities to score for herself along with getting her teammates involved more.
Still down by 6 points headed into the fourth quarter, the Sparks knew it was now or never, and who would end up being the unsung hero this time? Would be it be Toliver who skillfully made the game winning three pointer against Tulsa last Tuesday night or would someone else step up. Toliver continued to get the best of Seattle's Sue Bird both offensively and defensively.
The Storm had a 60-53 lead with four minutes remaining. The Sparks then went on a 10-0 run started by Ogwumike's amazing reverse layup. Parker scored inside off a great Toliver assist and also got one of her three blocks on the night in that run.
However Katie Smith who led Seattle with an impressive 19 points would not go away quietly, as she hit a three pointer with 35 seconds left to tie the game at 63.
Toliver would not be outdone as she aggressively went to the basket dropping in the left handed shot with about 12 seconds left that gave the Sparks the 65-63. Seattle's Camille Little responded with a rebound and putback shot to tie the game again at 65.
At this point the Seattle Storm had a foul to give but for some reason didn't utilize it.
Now of course the game winning plan is always drawn up for the team's superstar, just like it would be for Wade, Kobe, or Lebron, and this play was no different. The play called for Parker, however Alana Beard was unable to find her and Ogwumike got the ball. Ogwumike took the ball left strongly over the towering Ann Wauters for the game winner as the Sparks defeated the Storm 67-65. Ogwumike was mobbed by her teammates in celebration on the court.
Nneka Ogwumike talked about her game winning shot, "I was very concerned about the outcome. But in that kind of moment, dimensions, the geometrics of everything really kind of fall into place and it's about getting the ball and doing it." Ogwumike finished with a quiet night 10 points, on 3 of 9 shooting, but the last shot was heard loudly around Staples Center and will be remembered by the Seattle Storm.
Kristi Toliver finished with 23 points, 7 assist, and Candace Parker had another double-double with 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
The game winner was more painful for Seattle than forgetting about the foul to give.
A disappointed Storm team dropped to 1-4 on the season, and the loss gave the Sparks the tie breaker in the season series.
Tina Thompson spoke about the heart breaking loss, "Losses are tough, period, but especially the ones that are last second. It stings a little bit because you think about the opportunities that we had to change the outcome."
Seattle Head Coach Brian Agler spoke about the game winning shot, "Nneka hit a hell of a shot. Ann [Wauters] was right on her. She sort of shot it around Ann's arm."
The Sparks are a best 5-1 on the season, and even though they have a great 1-2 combo in Toliver and Parker, one can not forget about the power and tenacity of rookie Nneka Ogwumike. She's a huge reason why the Sparks are 5-1.
I also had an opportunity to speak with injured guard Sharnee Zoll, who is out with an ACL injury. She is scheduled to have surgery on Monday and begin her rehab assignment just 1 week after. According to doctors, her knee rehab will take anywhere from 4-6 months.
"Just taking it day by day, I have a great support system. I have God in my life. I'm told I'll start running after 4 months and basketball about 6 months, so I'm very hopeful."
After this victory the Los Angeles Sparks prepare to take on the Phoenix Mercury on Friday night at Staples Center.
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