The Los Angeles Sparks lost game one of the WNBA Semifinals to the Connecticut Sun 84-75. Alyssa Thomas led the Sun in scoring with 22 points; also, she grabbed 10 rebounds. The Sun had a balanced scoring attack, Jasmine Thomas scored 19, Jonquel Jones had 16, and Courtney Williams had 15 points.
For the Sparks, they only had two players in double figures. Candace Parker had 24 points, and 10 rebounds and Nneka Ogwumike had 20 points and 10 rebounds. Connecticut forced Los Angeles into 17 turnovers and the Sparks starting backcourt shot a combined 3 of 17 from the floor.
For the Sparks to even the WNBA semifinals on Thursday, these three players will need to step up.
Chelsea Gray
Chelsea Gray struggled in game one scoring just four points on 2 for 8 shooting from the field. Also, she had four points and four rebounds. Gray averaged 14 points per game during the regular season; she will need to eclipse that for the Sparks to win game 2. Los Angeles will need her hard play and big shot-making.
Riquna Williams
Riquna Williams shot 1 for 9 from the field and 0-6 from three-point land, she scored just two points and added three rebounds and three assists. Williams can catch fire quickly at any time of the game. The Sparks will need her to make shots to compete against the Sun, Williams can not afford to have another bad shooting night in this series. If she does, it could be a short series from the Sparks.
Chiney Ogwumike
Chiney Ogwumike is a good defender and hustles a lot. She scored just four points and grabbed only two rebounds in game one. Ogwumike averaged 9.6 points per game during the season, she will need to get in double digits for the Sparks to be successful in this series. Against the Sun you need multiple players in double figures to help offset their balanced scoring attack.
