The Los Angeles Sparks were unable to snap their losing streak on Tuesday, losing to the Washinton Mystics, 82-80.
Los Angeles has been battling through some adversity. They just finished up a seven-game road trip, during which they were away for much of June. They failed to get a win on the road, and their biggest loss came in the form of Cameron Brink‘s season-ending ACL injury.
“Adversity can do lots of things, and adversity is not always one thing, and we learn about ourselves,” said head coach Curt Miller. “This group is tight. To watch Cameron go down with an injury was really difficult on that road trip, but sticking together through thick and thin. The mantra is that we gotta go through it.”
With the Sparks back home and the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup now in the books, Miller and his team were able to get in some valuable practice time leading up to this matchup and will be able to retool even more when they take a month-long break for the Olympics starting in mid-July.
“It is the little growths that we are taking pride in and are hanging our hat on. Wins and losses will take care of themselves if we stick to our process and stick to our standards,” said Miller.
All this comes on the heels of the Spark’s biggest win of the season against the Las Vegas Aces, who happens to be the Spark’s next opponent.
“We have another game. This league doesn’t stop for anybody,” said Dearica Hamby. “We got the Aces up next, and this league doesn’t stop, and that’s all we keep talking about.”
Hamby has been the anchor for the Sparks and finished with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists. She was 6-12 from the field and has scored 65 points over the past three games.
Just prior to tipoff, it was announced that Hamby would be making her third All-Star appearance. Hamby is having a career year, averaging over 18 points and 10 rebounds per game.
“Dearica has had such a terrific year. You know, really, really special leading us both on and off the court. Willing us at times, carrying us at times,” said Miller.
Five Washington players reached the double figures in scoring, and they shot 46.2 percent from beyond the arch as a team. They started the season losing their first 12 games but have now won five of their past eight.
This is certainly a rebuilding year for Los Angeles and their inexperience shows in games like their one against the Mystics. They were up by 14 points at one point in the fourth quarter before they were unable to score for over four minutes of game time, allowing Washington to go on a 14-0 run and tie the game.
“I thrive in the process of building and teaching. That is what I was really missing when I was becoming a manager in Connecticut; now I am teaching again. It’s not easy, you know, we’re pros,” said Miller. “I’m really enjoying this group’s learning and teaching, and we know the bright days are ahead.”
Benjamin Verbrugge is a reporter for News4usonline who studied journalism at CSU Dominguez Hills. “Sports have brought me much joy throughout my life, and I want to give a little back to something that has meant so much to me.”