June 9, 2023 - Chicago Sky @ Los Angeles Sparks Full Game Notes
My minute-by-minute breakdown of tonight's game.
Back again for another.
This is probably the quietest in-stadium atmosphere for the Sparks thus far, so I’m interested in seeing if it plays any type of role. And even with that, the Sparks consistently bring a full Los Angeles performance out time-and-time again and put on a great show for the crowd.
Here’s a look at the starters as we get this one going.
Starting Lineups
Chicago Sky
PG - Courtney Williams
SG - Marina Mabrey
SF - Kahleah Copper
PF - Alanna Smith
C - Elizabeth Williams
Los Angeles Sparks
PG - Jordin Canada
SG - Lexie Brown
SF - Layshia Clarendon
PF - Nneka Ogwumike
C - Dearica Hamby
First Quarter
An ugly possession to open this game up has it even through the first minute.
Early observation here is that the Sparks size will play a major factor on the boards.
Right on cue, Hamby with an easy post up on Copper for two points.
Chicago is using its third possession to try and post Mabrey on Canada. Definitely something to keep an eye on.
Chicago uses an early timeout after Los Angeles opens with a 6-0 lead.
Mabrey is clearly frustrated with Canada’s defensive pressure, and I couldn’t be more hyped about it. Something to know about Mabrey… COMPETITIVE.
My early prediction: Mabrey picks up a technical in this one.
And Chicago executes nicely out of the timeout with its first bucket of the game courtesy of Alanna Smith.
The Sky pick up its 3rd team foul three-and-a-half minutes into the quarter. Possible bonus situation on the way.
There’s been a clear difference maker early in this one, and she goes by the name Jordin Canada. Her ball-pressure is intense right now, and Chicago doesn’t have an answer.
Anthony Davis makes a nice sideline appearance—perhaps to study toughness? Welcome to the show big fella.
Sparks up 13-2 five minutes in. The Sky are playing a dangerous game here.
And just like that, two quick Chicago baskets.
I’m interested to look at the box score in after this quarter and see how many steals the Sparks have early.
Hamby has been incredibly solid to start this game off with eight points.
And here we go, our first look at each team’s bench coming in the game with two minutes left in the quarter and the Sparks up 17-10.
Samuelson takes a brutal spill on an offensive rebound. Grabbed her back on the ground, but it’s really good to see her looking okay.
Not much to say about that first quarter other than sloppiness ruled out. As of now, Los Angeles is the less sloppy teams and takes an eight-point lead into the quarter.
Early look at the box score and the Sparks have 6 steals. It’s a storyline alright.
Second Quarter - Chicago (12) Los Angeles (20)
Marina Mabrey starting the second off much smoother than the first with a nice drive and finish.
Copper followed it up with one of her own.
Jasmine Thomas of Los Angeles gives us our first three of the game two minutes into the game.
Hate to see this. Layshia Clarendon goes down hard on defense and picks up what looks like a serious injury.
I do my best to keep things positive on here, but Azure Stevens has been a serious liability for Los Angeles. Bad shot, after bad shot, after bad hands, after bad shot.
Media timeout five minutes in has the Sparks up 29-22 over the Sky.
If any of this feels unremarkable, well, it’s because it has been thus far.
My theory as to why rests solely on the fact that both teams are a combined 1-16 from three.
If you were expecting points in this one—you know, like I was—then you came to the wrong game. Los Angeles has certainly been tough on defense, but it’s hard to not be anything but disappointing in just about everything Chicago’s four best guards are doing.
2:12 seconds left in the second quarter and the Sky are taking its first free-throws of the game.
Yikes.
Two big threes—yes, threes!—from Chicago bring them within four points at 31-35 late in the second.
And that’s quarter.
If the first quarter was sloppy, then this one was unkept.
I wish I had more for you, but that’s about all I have to offer. I know, I’m frustrated by it, too.
Third Quarter - Chicago (33) Los Angeles (37)
Okay.
I’ve given most of halftime a thought and decided on something serious. I’m willing to give more of myself as long as both of these teams do the same. I feel pretty confident in that happening due to the wild fact that Chicago’s head coach, James Wade, gave a random security guard an even more random fist bump when he wasn’t expecting.
We’re about to have a great half of basketball, folks!
Elizabeth Williams opens the half with a week-long packing-like block on Nneka Ogwumike and follows it up with two on the other end.
Canada scores the Sparks’ first basket of the second half two minutes in.
I’m… I’m afraid I was too optimistic at halftime.
That’s on me, everyone. That’s on me.
Chicago just called a play “rub” that led to a wild and-one for Alanna Smith.
It was so bad that another media member left the table and walked away.
Mabrey with a transition three leading to a Los Angeles timeout.
41-41 tie with 6:40 left in the third quarter.
A quick observation in this one is if Chicago can shake the constant ball pressure the Sparks are putting on display, then the Sky can get just about any shot it wants.
The same can’t be said for Los Angeles who is struggling to find easy baskets due to its 1-12 shooting from three.
Lexie Brown comes out of the timeout and gets her first bucket on an 8-foot floater from inside the key. The Sparks could really benefit from her heating up, and there’s few players in the W more capable.
Brown attempted an open three right after and… clank. Damn.
Ziaaaa Cooke for three!
We might be heating up out here…
Four straight misses from both teams, and it’s clear that’s not the case.
Los Angeles ends the quarter on an 8-0 run and a taken charge by Brown to head into the fourth with a 10-point lead.
Los Angeles positions itself nicely to end the quarter. This one is the Sparks to lose.
Fourth Quarter - Chicago (48) Los Angeles (58)
I’m an absolute basketball junkie. I mean this game is and has always been everything to me. I’ve seen thousands of games in person, and I’m just not sure I’ve ever seen colder shooting.
These two professional teams are a combined 6-33 from three…
Chicago opens the quarter on a 5-0 run and makes it a game!
Finally, I’m getting juiced about this one again.
Canada just hit a layup where she got absolutely BLASTED, and there was no foul call.
That one was almost impossible to justify for the officials .
Los Angles has just called its second timeout of the quarter as the Sky have pulled within two with 6:45 left in the fourth.
I’m making an early prediction on this one and saying this game is going to overtime.
I haven’t said enough about just how good Nneka Ogwumike is. If there’s any slightly undersized forwards out there who are trying to figure out how to be effective in the post by beginning possessions in the midrange, look no further. She’s the definition of efficient and a privilege to watch.
Plot twist!
After some time away from the game, the aforementioned media member has returned. Only time will tell if it’s for good.
We’ve got 2:47 left in this one, and the Sparks lead 66-62.
Los Angeles head coach, Curt Miller, screaming at the officials for not making some obvious foul calls.
Love the passion, coach.
That looks to be it as the Sparks get its 10-point lead back with one minute to go.
I’m looking forward to this one being over.
I think it’s fair to say we all are.
And that’s a wrap on this one. The Sparks get a major home win to push its record to 4-3.
Pretty wild game if we’re honest.
The team’s combined to go 7-43 from three-point range in what was the worst shooting game I’ve ever seen in person.
As always, I’ll be back for Los Angeles’ next home game to bring my live thought.
Final Score: Chicago Sky (62) Los Angeles Sparks (77)