Sparks new trade acquisition sidelined after ankle injury

LOS ANGELES – Monique Akoa Makani appeared in two games for the Los Angeles Sparks before being sidelined due to injury as the team returned home from a three-game road trip to face off against the Golden State Valkyries.

During her pregame press conference, Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts acknowledged that Monique Akoa Makani had suffered a right ankle injury, and that the team was awaiting the results of imaging she had done upon the team’s return to Los Angeles.

“Monique’s been a great add … but we’ll get her back soon hopefully,” Roberts said. “She‘s got a right ankle, and she did it in the last minute at Minnesota. She’s tough. She kind of played through it but we flew home and she got imaging done and so that’s what we’re dealing with.”

Akoa Makani played a pivotal role in the Sparks’ win against the league-leading Lynx on Thursday, as the team finished their road trip at 2-1. It was only her second game in the lineup since the Kelsey Plum trade, and Roberts’ trusted her enough to close out the fourth quarter with her at point guard.

The second-year guard finished with seven points and shot 3-of-4 from the field, one of which was a big shot from midrange with a little over one minute left in the game. The Cameroonian native spoke with media for the first time following Sparks’ practice on Saturday afternoon, and she marveled at how receptive her teammates have been since the trade.

“I try to rely a lot on my teammates to be honest. Anytime I have a question, they’re always there to help me out. Even on the court, I get a lot of feedback and they’re very good at giving you feedback,” Akoa Makani said. “I think I’m still adjusting throughout the games to able to help and bring my little contribution.”

Akoa Makani played a key role as the starting point guard for the Phoenix Mercury last year during the team’s run to the WNBA Finals. She was the starting at the one for the Mercury this year after a late start to her season due to overseas commitments.

In her two games with the Sparks thus far, she’s played a little over 17 minutes while averaging 5.0 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals. She’s yet to hit a 3-point shot with the Sparks, but she was a 40.1 percent shooter from deep during her time with the Mercury.

Following Sunday’s practice, Roberts expressed her enthusiasm at adding Akoa Makani for the final stretch of the regular season.

“She’s an explosive athlete. I think it’s a great trade. I think we got a really good one. She’s only in the second year of her contract,” Roberts said. “She’s played a lot of basketball internationally, isn’t afraid of the moment, just really poised. In that game down the stretch against Minnesota, she was phenomenal defensively. So good, hit a couple of big shot too. Got a couple and-ones, we’re pleased with her.”

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