Kelsey Plum scored 37 factors in her Los Angeles debut and the Sparks ruined the debut of the Golden State Valkyries with an 84-67 victory on Friday night time at San Francisco.
Plum made 11 of 19 field-goal makes an attempt, together with 4 3-pointers, and knocked down all 11 free-throw makes an attempt whereas falling three factors shy of her profession excessive. She additionally contributed six assists and 5 steals in serving to the Sparks win their first recreation below new coach Lynne Roberts.
Dearica Hamby recorded 14 factors and 10 rebounds and Rickea Jackson added 13 factors for Los Angeles, which is coming off a franchise-worst 8-32 season. Azura Stevens had 11 factors for the Sparks.
Tiffany Hayes had 19 factors and 9 rebounds for Golden State, the WNBA’s first growth franchise since 2008. Temi Fagbenle added 15 factors and Julie Vanloo scored 14 off the bench for the squad coached by Natalie Nakase.
Los Angeles shot 46 p.c from the sector and was 7 of 19 from 3-point vary.
The Valkyries made 36.5 p.c of their makes an attempt, and have been simply 9 of 35 from behind the arc.
The Sparks led 42-39 at halftime earlier than Plum erupted with 17 third-quarter factors.
Plum scored 12 of these factors throughout a 15-3 spurt to show her crew’s three-point lead right into a 62-47 benefit with 3:11 left within the quarter.
Vanloo immediately was hotter than lava whereas drilling three 3-pointers in 44 seconds because the Valkyries moved inside six with 2:07 remaining.
Los Angeles led 66-60 getting into the ultimate stanza. However a steal and layup below the basket by Sims and 5 straight free throws by Sims (three) and Plum (two) helped the Sparks take a 73-62 benefit with 5:18 left within the contest.
A 15-footer by Plum pushed the Los Angeles result in 80-65 with 2:12 left. She capped her massive outing with a layup with 52 seconds left.
Plum had 11 first-half factors to assist Los Angeles lead by three on the break. Fagbenle had 13 within the half for Golden State.
The Sparks misplaced Rae Burrell to a probably severe decrease proper leg damage within the first quarter. Burrell was carried off the court docket by two of her teammates.
–Area Degree Media